complaint·December 11, 2023

Staff are using methamphetamines on the facility premises. It is alleged that live-in staff (S1) and their spouse, whom visits the facility often (V1), but is not employed at the facility brought into the facility methamphetamines and marijuana and smoked the drugs in the garage. It is also alleged that neighbors complained. Based on record review, S1's spouse is listed on the Facility Personnel Report Summary as a staff. However, Licensee and other staff interviewed denied V1 was employed at the facility as a caregiver. According to interviews conducted by DSS Investigations Branch (IB) Investigator Christine Ferris, between July 2021 and November 2021 staff (S7) observed on several occasions, staff (S1) and their spouse whom frequently visited S1 at the facility, smoking marijuana and methamphetamines in the garage. Staff (S7) reported the observations to lead caregiver staff (S2), who has worked at the facility since 2016, but did not report drug use to Administrator/Licensee because they assumed the lead caregiver informed Administrator. Additionally, staff (S7) stated "I thought they were going to stop." IB interviewed a total of seven (7) staff, of which only one (1) staff confirmed the allegation. Lead caregiver (S2) stated that staff (S1’s) spouse (V1) visited the facility approximately “ten times” a month, and did see V1 smoke marijuana outside the facility due to “back issues”, but did not smoke near the facility, in the garage, or around residents. All staff denied that neighbors complained about former staff (S1). Staff (S2) acknowledged smoking cigarettes with V1 in the front yard courtyard area, but stated that the smoke did not enter the home. Administrator/Licensee denied knowledge of drug use in the premises. A total of three (3) residents were interviewed, of which all reported no knowledge or observation of drug use by former staff (S1) or their spouse. Multiple attempts to locate staff (S1) and their spouse (V1) using information by witnesses, employment information, and departmental resources were unsuccessful. There is insufficient evidence to substantiate conduct inimical against staff (S1). Allegation: Staff are intoxicated while providing care to residents in care. It is alleged that staff (S1) and their spouse (V1) got drunk off of alcohol (vodka and brandy) in the garage. According to staff interviews, caregiver staff (S7) confronted staff (S1) and told them to stop, but S1 "did not listen." It is also alleged that lead caregiver staff (S2) was aware of the situation, but never reported it to Administrator and also did not report neighbor complaints. Staff (S2) was interviewed and denied the allegation. Only one (1) out of seven (7) staff confirmed the allegation. All residents interviewed denied seeing former staff (S1) and their spouse intoxicated while providing care to the residents. Multiple attempts to locate staff (S1) and their spouse (V1) using information by witnesses, employment information, and departmental resources were unsuccessful. There is insufficient evidence to substantiate conduct inimical against staff (S1). 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 conducted with staff Virginia Villacorte. A copy of the report was issued.