Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has turned to the Florida court system to resolve a rare and escalating crisis: an unnamed former patient who has allegedly transformed her hospital room into a long-term residence, refusing to leave more than five months after being medically cleared for discharge.
The healthcare provider filed a formal complaint in Leon County Circuit Court earlier this month, seeking a judicial order to authorize the Leon County Sheriff’s Office to forcibly remove the woman. According to legal filings reviewed by reporters, the patient was officially discharged on Oct. 6, 2025, but remains in her inpatient room as of mid-March 2026.
‘Repeated Efforts’ to Facilitate Exit
The lawsuit paints a picture of a hospital administration that has exhausted all non-legal avenues. TMH attorneys allege that staff spent months attempting to coordinate with the woman’s family and even offered non-emergency medical transportation to help her obtain the “necessary identification” required for a transition to a post-acute facility or home.
“TMH staff made repeated efforts to assist the defendant in safely completing discharge,” the complaint states…