Judge orders Heritage House closed and evacuated

LITTLE ROCK, AR – A Pulaski County Judge ordered the Heritage House on South University to be closed and evacuated Thursday. Last month, a 5-year-old was found alone at the extended stay hotel, with a room full of cockroaches, drug paraphernalia, and half-empty beer cans.

Judge Wendell Griffin ruled the Heritage House had not been in full compliance with city code since 2005.

“Numerous fire, maintenance, electrical and sanitary codes were in violation. Judge Griffin determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Little Rock to shut down all three buildings at that hotel and we applaud his decision,” said City Manager Bruce Moore.

Now, everyone living at the motel will have to find a new place to live. The city says it has 12 “facilitators” from their housing department to help residents find other housing arrangements.

Resident Bobby Hadsel showed Fox 16 his room, which he has been living in for the last month. He says since the missing Grant County girl was found at the motel the management has made some repairs and added a new coat of paint. In his opinion, the motel is just fine.

“You know, it’s not the Ritz, but it’s livable you know,” said Hadsel.