A 93-year-old woman was locked up in jail after apparently refusing to leave a care home after she was evicted.

Juanita Fitzgerald was reportedly arrested after refusing to leave the housing community where she lives in Florida, despite being evicted.

National Church Residences, which runs Franklin House where the nonagenarian has lived since 2011, told Florida TV station WKMG that she had said she would not pay rent because she thought she would die soon, but Ms Fitzgerald claims they would not accept her rent.

Locked up – Juanita was apparently handcuffed and thrown in jail (Picture: Lake County Sheriff’s Office) More

Spokeswoman Karen Twinem also said that Fitzgerald had complained about mould in her apartment, but when they tested it, none was found.

Court papers reportedly describe how Fitzgerald resisted eviction, saying: “Unless you carry me out of here, I’m not going anywhere.”

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Authorities have also reportedly said they have tried to get help for Ms Fitzgerald from her family as well as other agencies but claim she has refused any offers of help.

In an interview with WKMG while she was in jail, she said: “I don’t have anybody. My family is in Tennessee and I told them not to tell my son anything that’s going on. I don’t want them to help me. I don’t need no help. I’ve got all the help I need.”

Evicted – the 93-year-old claims authorities would not accept her rent, but they say she refused to pay (Picture: Lake County Sheriff’s Office) More

93 year old Juanita Fitzgerald says she tried to pay her rent but was refused. Says she did not tell them she was dying to get out of paying rent. She says that's a lie! Also says she's never been arrested before but has faith God will get her through! News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando pic.twitter.com/JjE4wifKlx — Adrianna Iwasinski (@AIwasinski) December 14, 2017





Ms Fitzgerald was spared having to spend her 94th birthday on December 15 behind bars after a judge handed her over to a caregiver the day before.

She still faces charges of trespassing and is due back in court on December 27. She is said to be staying with a friend in the meantime.

(Top picture: Twitter/WKMG)