Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Personal Rights: Lack of staff supervision resulting in residents overdosing on illegal substances while in care.

The investigation consisted of the following: The investigation was assigned to Investigation’s Branch (IB) Investigator, Olivia Spindola. IB Investigator conducted interviews with alleged victims (C-1 through C-3), staff, clients and C-3’s family member. IB Investigator also reviewed records for C-1 through C-3. The investigation revealed the following: On 04/04/2023, C-1 was hospitalized at Beverly Hospital (BH) after C-1’s roommate reported to the facility management that C-1 appeared to be in medical distress. On 05/02/2023, C-2 was transported to BH after C-2 was slumped over a patio chair at the facility. On 05/03/2023, C-3 was hospitalized at BH after C-3 was found unconscious on a sidewalk near the facility. The IB investigation revealed that C-1 through C-3’s narcotics overdoses were unrelated to one another. The following information was gathered by Investigator Spindola: C-3 indicated C-3 bought narcotics outside this facility and at times from an unidentified individual in the facility. C-2 indicated C-2 believe C-2 took a Xanax pill a friend gave C-2 to help C-2 sleep, however, the Xanax caused C-2 to be hospitalized. C-1 indicated C-1 bought Methamphetamine from an individual at a nearby store. Investigator Spindola was unable to determine if the facility staff was aware of C-1 through C-3 of bringing narcotics inside the facility, purchasing narcotics from staff or that staff abused narcotics. Per Investigator Spindola, “since the residents are free to go into the community it is laterally impossible for the facility staff to know when residents have purchased and carried narcotics into the facility or abuse narcotics in their rooms, therefore the case was closed as Unsubstantiated”.

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

Exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and appeal rights were provided to Winnie Greco.