Facility Evaluation Report

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Vincent Moleski arrived unannounced to conduct a case management visit. LPA Moleski met with facility administrator Jennifer Mercado and explained the purpose of the visit.

LPA Moleski received an incident report from Mercado on 1/12/25. The incident report indicated that a resident (R1) was out shopping with two staff members (S1-S2) on that same date, but, while waiting in line to pay, R1 "seemed to have seen someone," and started running around. S1 attempted to redirect R1, but R1 ran out of the store.

S1 attempted to follow R1, but R1 outran S1, according to the incident report. S1 then called 911, and 30 minutes later a local police officer arrived at the facility with R1, according to the incident report. R1 had been found by police while walking unaccompanied in the community, and agreed to have officers drive R1 back to the facility.

In an interview, Mercado said that S1 was responsible for supervising R1 on the outing, as S2 was supervising another client accompanying them. LPA Moleski asked what preventative measures are in place on outings to prevent R1 from eloping. Mercado said "[R1] doesn't have anything in place" because the incident previously described was the first incident of elopement while on an outing.

In a phone interview, S1 said that R1 got agitated, and was either bored while waiting in line at the store, or possibly saw someone that they were scared of. S1 said that R1 had previously stolen from the store, and may have been agitated if they saw the manager. Mercado confirmed the previous incident of theft from the store, and said R1 will not be returning to that store in the future. LPA Moleski asked S1 if there is a plan in place to prevent R1 from eloping while on outings. S1 said that staff "give [R1] what [R1] wants" or "tell [R1] what [R1] wants to hear" in order to soothe R1, such as promising a preferred snack or activity. [continued on 809-C]