A Nebraska company will not acquire the group homes of the Graywood Foundation, Linda Timmons said.

Timmons, president and chief executive officer of Mosaic, a company based out of Omaha, Neb., said Mosaic will not acquire the Graywood Foundation because of timeline constraints.

“The quick time demands from the Illinois Department of Human Services convinced Mosaic not to look further into acquiring the homes,” Timmons said.

According to IDHS, Graywood’s contract will be terminated March 28 and will prevent Graywood from providing services to developmental disabled individuals.

Timmons said the March 28 deadline would not have been enough time for Mosaic to acquire the homes.

Mosaic was originally interested in acquiring the Graywood Foundation because the company is looking to expand their organization in Illinois.

“We are looking for strategic growth opportunities in Illinois,” Timmons said.

Mosaic has operated within Illinois for the past 25 years in Pontiac, Rockford and Macomb counties and has recently celebrated their 98th anniversary, Timmons said.

Since Mosaic will not acquire the group homes, IDHS is in the process of relocating the 52 adults and 16 children who are developmentally disabled living in the Charleston and Mattoon group homes.

The department said they would work with families in providing other living arrangements for the residents.

Marielle Sainvilus, spokesperson of IDHS, said the termination would affect seven Community Integrated Living Arrangements, two child group homes, and an all day program.

In a press release issued by IDHS, the department cited “recent allegations” and “past tragic events” as reasons for terminating Graywood’s contract.

Vince Everson, chief officer of Graywood, was not available for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The termination of Graywood’s contract came after the death of a developmentally disabled man, Paul McCann.

According to reports, McCann was beaten at a Graywood facility home Jan. 19 and received 13 rib fractures from the alleged beating.

Current and former Eastern students, Marquis A. Harmon, and Keyun D. Newble, have plead not guilty to the charges related to McCann’s death.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at eaedwards@eiu.edu.