Facility owner faces possible criminal prosecution after man goes missing in Greensboro

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — It’s been more than two weeks since 74-year-old Larry Burton went missing from a family home care living facility.

Now, state officials believe this case may call for criminal charges.

In a letter obtained by FOX8, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services formally urged the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office to pursue criminal prosecution against the facility for operating without a license and neglecting Burton.

FOX8 went to the facility and talked to the facility administrator, who identified themselves as Hazel Mae Forman on the first day of the search for Burton.

On Friday afternoon, they provided another name. FOX8 was told the facility is independent housing.

However, Burton’s family said they were told this facility was a care home.

“He has his own home with three bedrooms. If he could go to an independent living facility, he could have just went home where my two sons could have helped him. He did not need to go to an independent living facility. That doesn’t make sense,” Burton’s daughter Latonya Swift said.

As Burton’s only child, Swift is heartbroken and frustrated with so many questions unanswered.

“I spoke to my father via FaceTime the day he went missing … I know how he is communicating and all of the above, that same day. I came today to get his wallet, and the hospital staff doesn’t have his wallet,” Swift said.

According to the North Carolina Division of Health Services Regulation, they have also sent a cease and desist order to the operation and referred the case to the local law enforcement for investigation.