Complaint Investigation Report

The investigator reviewed the facility file, staff records and resident records on 1/18/2023, and conducted interviews with potential witnesses on 1/18/2023. A request of the Sheriff’s Department incident report was requested on 1/20/2023 and received on 1/21/2023.

The IB Investigator interviewed the client (C1) who stated while using the facility restroom, a male staff employee who works at the program touched C1’s private parts on or about 12/14/2022. C1 stated did not know the name of the male staff member.

During the investigator’s interview of the reporting party (RP), C1 disclosed to RP a staff member had touched C1’s private parts while in the facility’s bathroom. This was reported to the program office, Program Director, and the Program Coordinator on 12/19/2022.

Investigator Miles interviewed the Program Director and Program Coordinator who stated RP and C1 did report the alleged incident to both parties. C1 was escorted through the facility by both parties in order to identify the male staff member who inappropriately touched C1. Both parties stated C1 identified the male staff member #1 (S1).

Staff member #1 was interviewed by the Investigator on 1/18/2023. S1 stated that he spoke to C1 along with C1’s Life Skills Coach on 12/20/2022 but stated C1 appeared upset with S1. S1 finished work that day and was informed by the Program Director that S1 would be placed on administrative leave for a report alleged incident of inappropriately touching C1’s private parts in the restroom. S1 stated, this did not occur and has never assisted C1 in the bathroom nor followed C1 into the bathroom.

On 12/21/2022, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department responded to an Adult Protective Service report regarding alleged adult abuse. Interviews were conducted with the victim (C1) and witness. On 1/19/2023, a Deputy spoke to C1’s family member who stated that they were satisfied with how Easterseals handled the allegation and C1’s family did not want to pursue criminal prosecution. The Sheriff’s report concluded that, “based upon the family not wanting to proceed with the investigation and along with not being able to determine if the crime occurred, this case will be closed pending additional evidence and victim cooperation.”