Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Facility staff threw an object at resident while in care. It is alleged that staff (S1) threw a shoe at client (C1) that hit the client's head, and also almost hit the client's head with a chair. Based on interviews conducted the findings indicate that on January 25, 2023, client (C1) woke up early at 5 AM and wanted to go leave the facility so that they could go to the day program. The client started walking on the sidewalk alone and staff (S1) let the client go on it's own to the bus stop because staff could not leave the other clients unattended. NOTE: C1 is able to be in the community on it's own. Staff (S1) denied the allegation and stated that the client was angry. According Administrator, C1 has history of physical aggression and story fabrication and in the past year the client's behaviors have become more frequent. The Regional Center Service Coordinator confirmed that client (C1's) evaluations include story fabrication and it is difficult to redirect the client when they are angry and the incident has escalated. No injuries were observed in the client's head or body. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation.

Allegation: Facility staff inappropriately handled resident while in care. It is alleged that staff (S1) did not handle the client's behavior incident appropriately by allegedly threatening to throw a chair at client (C1). According to two (2) staff and three (3) out of four (4) client interviews staff (S1) did not treat the client inappropriately of physically abuse the client on January 25, 2023. Client (C1) stated that S1 gets angry at clients when the Administrator is not present, and did attempt to hit the client with the high chair located in the kitchen counter. However, none of the other clients in the home witnessed the alleged shoe or chair throwing. Based on client (C1's) file documents the findings indicate that the client has six (6) problem behaviors; which include physical aggression, non-compliance, bossing others, behavioral outbursts, self-injurious behaviors, and story fabrication.

Based on record review and interviews conducted there is insufficient evidence to prove the allegations. 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.

Exit interview was conducted with Administrator Sheila Fabian. A copy of the report was issued.