Complaint Investigation Report

The investigation revealed the following:

Allegation – Staff hit client. It is alleged that 2 Staff slapped Client #1 (C-1) in the face on 10/19/22. LPA interviewed Administrator Pichinte who was aware of the alleged incident. She stated that the law enforcement was contacted, and the case is under review. In the meantime, the 2 Staff are taken off the work schedule until the investigation is completed. During the visit today, LPA interviewed the alleged staff via telephone and they denied slapping or hitting C-1 nor have they witnessed any staff hitting a client. They stated they have been working at the home for over 10 years and would never hit a client. LPA interviewed 3 other staff and none of them have seen their coworkers physically or verbally abuse a client. LPA reviewed Staff In-Service training logs conducted this year, which included topics such as verbal and physical abuse, Mandated Reporter Policy, and Crisis Prevention Intervention Tools. C-1 confirmed that 2 Staff physically hit C-1 and indicated that C-1 was slapped in the face by one staff and hit in the back of the head by another staff. 2 out of 3 Clients stated that Staff are nice to them and had never hit them. LPA reviewed the current IPP for C-1 and it revealed that C-1 fabricates stories with the intention to get his/her way.

Based on the information gathered, there is no evidence to support this allegation.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted with House Lead, Marie Belleza. A copy of this report along with the appeal rights were provided.