Complaint Investigation Report

The investigation revealed the following:

Regarding allegation: Staff did not safeguard a client's personal belongings.

It is alleged that on the morning of 3/01/21, C1 noticed some personal items were missing and suspected S1 of stealing them while C1 was sleeping. Per interviews conducted, (2) of (3) clients stated that personal items went missing at the facility and were not found. (4) of (4) staff stated C1 and C2 expressed missing items at times, however both clients have a history of fabricating stories. Per review of IPP's, it was discovered that C2 does have a history of behaviors of falsifying stories. Per S2, S2 does recall an incident of C1 notifying staff of personal items missing some time in March of 2021, but is unaware of C1 stating the items were "stolen". S2 states to have spoken to C1's mother to check if C1 had left the alleged stolen items at C1's family's home, as C1 would frequently visit their family and would take personal belongings with them. S2 states C1's mother did not find C1's items at the family home, so S2 replaced the alleged stolen item for C1. This allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Regarding allegation: Staff speaks inappropriately towards the client while in care.

It is alleged that S1 speaks disrespectfully to some of the clients in the home. Per interviews conducted, C1 stated that S1 was experiencing personal issues outside of work, would come to work with an attitude, and would take it out on the clients. C1 did not provide details on how S1 was allegedly "taking it out" on clients or how it was known that S1 was having personal issues. C2 stated that S1 beat C2 on the nose, tried to choke C2, and hit C2 in the jaw. C2 stated that S2 was aware and consequently fired S1. (4) of (4) staff stated to be unaware of an incident where a staff physically abused a client in care or spoke inappropriately to them. Per C2's IPP, it is noted that C2 has a history of fabricating stories. S2 states to be unaware of an incident where S1 physically abused C2, nor did S2 take any pictures of a client with suspicion of abuse. S2 states if S2 had knowledge of said incident, it would have been reported. S2 also states that S1 was not fired, but rather left on their own terms. This allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Based on record review and interviews conducted the findings indicate, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated.

Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, no deficiencies were observed or cited during today's visit.

An exit interview was conducted with DSP, Jamila Neal, and a copy of the report was provided.