Complaint Investigation Report

LPA also attempted to interview South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC) staff, Service Coordinator (SC) LaQuita Howard and Quality Assurance (QA) Iqwo Ntuen by telephone. LPA also attempted to interview S2 but was not able to be interview staff as they did not answer the phone or return LPA call.

Investigation revealed the following: Regarding allegation, Staff inappropriately restrained resident while in care , it is alleged that a facility staff used a taser sound and handcuffs to scare C1 when they misbehave. Facility staff allegedly know that C1 is afraid of law enforcement and used the taser sound and handcuffs to scare C1. Facility staff allegedly handcuffed C1 for a minute to restrain them from misbehaving. It is additionally alleged that facility administrator and licensees were informed and did not take action.

Interviews conducted with Administrator Jasfer Cruz, and S1 revealed that facility have never inappropriately restrained any client with handcuffs or anything else. They also denied that any staff have used a taser sound to scare C1 or any other client. They stated that if any client is having a behavior staff appropriately redirect the client but never restrain them with handcuffs or anything else and also do not scare the clients with taser sounds or anything else. Administrator stated that he was made aware by a former staff (S3) that S2 was allegedly scaring C1 when the client was misbehaving with something that sounded like a taser and that S2 had also allegedly handcuffed C1 for approximately one minute when C1 was misbehaving. Administrator stated that he conducted interviews with staff and clients and C1 denied that S2 ever scared them or handcuffed them for a minute and that staff denied seeing S2 do that. Administrator stated that S2 and S3 had personal problems and were not getting along. Administrator also stated that he interviewed two clients (C1-2) and they denied that any staff including S2 have ever scared them with a taser sound and stated that they had not seen S2 with handcuffs. Administrator stated that C3-4 are non-verbal. Administrator stated that both S2-3 were terminated due to the alleged incidents and not reporting timely if the alleged incidents did in fact occur or if there were any suspicions regarding such behavior. Administrator stated that S3 made the reports to him 6 months after they allegedly occurred and admitted to him that they only made the report due to being upset with S2. S1 stated that staff are aware that C1 is fearful of paramedic sirens but only try to comfort the client if they become agitated when they hear sirens. Interviews conducted with C1-2 revealed that staff have not inappropriately restrained them or any other client. C1 denied that S2 ever used a taser sound to scare them and denied that S2 ever handcuffed them. C1 stated that they liked S2 and that S2 was nice. C1-2 stated that staff are nice and they did not have any concerns regarding the staff or the facility. C3-4 were not interviewed as they are non-verbal. C1-2 stated that they are satisfied with the services that they receive at the facility and stated that facility staff treat them with respect at all times. LPA conducted