Complaint Investigation Report

reported staff 1 (S1) taped C1's mouth shut. C2 reported that S1 dragged C1 out of the bedroom. Client 3 (C3) and C5 both reported that S1 yells at C1. Additionally, agency staff S3 reported an incident where S1 tapped C1's hand lightly. Staff 4 (S4) who is an agency staff reported that S1 raises his voice while talking to C1. C1 and C4 did not report anything concerning.

Interviews Conducted with clients by LPA revealed the following: C2, C3, C4, C4 all observed S1 tape C1's mouth shut on various dates. All 4 clients confirmed S1 raising his voice, losing his temper and shouting/yelling at C1. Clients also confirmed witnessing various abuses to C1 such as S1 pulling and dragging C1 from her bed to the living room as well as hitting client on the cheeks, arm and top of legs. Interviews conducted with 3 one on one staff, administrator and facility staff revealed that all staff have witnessed that S1 would talk to C1 in a loud, annoyed at times angry voice. Various staff also confirmed S1 yelling at C1. S3 confirmed to the LPA an incident where she observed S1 tap C1 on the hand lightly.

From approximately 2:45 pm to 4:15 pm and at 5:38 pm LPA conducted interview with S1. S1 confirmed speaking inappropriately to C4 by calling her a bully. S1 confirmed raising his voice when speaking with C1 however stated it was because C1 cannot hear well. S1 also stated "sometimes she is loud, so I have to raise my voice". According to S1 C1 developed a behavior that he "thought he could help to stop". The behavior irritates a lot of people including other clients. S1 also stated that he made a mistake by taping C1's mouth 2 or 3 times. S1 could not recall dates of the incidents. S1 acknowledged what he did not ok, “it was his mistake and he stopped doing it”. S1 confirmed incident where he hit C1's hand "maybe 1,2 3 at most". S1 remembers hitting her but does not remember when or why. S1 confirmed an incident that "happened long time ago" where he pulled C1 out of her bedroom by her hand because she was not sleeping and disturbing her roommate. S1 also confirmed about a week or 2 before leaving he lightly touched C1 on the cheeks so she would close her mouth, S1 also stated that he tapped the top of C1's legs and maybe the arms and telling her to stop moving them. Prior to ending the call S1 stated that he does not deny anything, however he would like to tell the LPA that the reason he did everything was to "stop the condition with the tongue and leg not because he enjoys it." S1 stated he cares about the clients. At 5:38 pm LPA sent a text message to S1 asking how long ago and how many times he put a sock in C1's mouth. S1 responded that he cannot recall when and at 2 the most. Based on the information obtained the allegations of Staff (S1) hit client, Staff (S1) placed tape on the mouth of a client and Staff (S1) spoke inappropriately to clients are Substantiated.

Exit interview conducted copy of report citations and appeal right emailed to the administrator