Charges Dropped Against Man Who Took Friend From Newton Care Facility

BOSTON (CBS) – Prosecutors have dropped charges against a Florida man who was charged with taking a woman from a long-term care facility in Newton.

In May, police spent several days searching for 62-year-old Beth Birnbaum, who was taken from the CareOne assisted living facility in Newton without permission.

Birnbaum was in the facility after suffering a stroke in January.

After several days Birnbaum was found with David Collignon, who said he took his friend because "he feared for her life and she needs to get out of there."

This week, prosecutors opted to drop charges against Collignon.

Attorneys said the primary reason for dropping the charges was that Birnbaum refused to cooperate with prosecutors.