Evicted woman sits for 16 days; judge intervenes

URBANA - A Champaign County judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a woman who's been sitting outside a central Illinois home for 16 days.

Forty-two-year-old Jenine Ellison was evicted from the Urbana home in late June.

She's been sitting outside on an upside-down plastic container since July 2nd.

Mental health workers testified at a hearing Friday that they're concerned about Ellison's safety because she's remained outside despite two recent severe storms.

Neighbors have been bringing her food, but she wouldn't tell the mental health workers how she's been keeping clean or attending to other basic needs.

A psychiatrist will decide if Ellison needs to be involuntarily committed for treatment or released.