Incident investigation·November 27, 2023

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dang Nguyen conducted an unannounced Case Management - Incident visit. LPA was welcomed by, identified himself to, and discussed the purpose of the visit with Business Office Director Susie Dizon. LPA also spoke with Executive Director Disha Hall via phone during the visit. Today's visit was in response to an SOC341 Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse, which licensee self-submitted to the CCLD San Diego Regional Office (received on 07/24/2023), involving Resident #1 (R1) and Staff #1 (S1). [See LIC 811 Confidential Names List for a description of person identifiers used in this report]. During today’s visit, LPA performed a brief facility tour and welfare check. LPA reviewed and collected copies of pertinent facility personnel and care records, and reviewed police correspondence. LPA also interviewed relevant facility staff. By the date of LPA’s site visit, R1 had since moved out of the facility, and they could not be reached for interview. However, per R1’s latest LIC602 Physician’s Report (dated 04/28/2022): R1 had no cognitive impairment diagnosis and their doctor determined they were not confused/disoriented, able to follow instructions, able to communicate needs, and able to manage their own cash and economic resources. The LIC603 Preplacement Appraisal (dated 05/10/2022) and the Care Plan (dated 09/15/2022) which licensee performed also showed R1 was able to express themselves and communicate verbally “without difficulty.” Interview of the facility administrator corroborated that R1 was “alert and oriented X4.” [CONTINUED ON LIC 809-C] [CONTINUED FROM LIC 809] Records and interviews showed: During July 2023, while R1 resided at the facility, R1 had privately given S1 permission to drive/operate their automobile outside of work for the purpose of finding an alternate residence for R1. On 07/20/2023, R1 first reported to facility management that they had earlier loaned their car to S1, and since lost phone contact with S1 over multiple days, causing R1 distress. Upon learning of the incident, facility management timely suspended R1’s employment, commenced an internal investigation, and reported the incident to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) and CCLD. On 07/21/2023, R1’s automobile was returned to them (via the care of their responsible person). While SDPD did not pursue criminal charges, Licensee’s internal investigation concluded that S1 had engaged in “misappropriation of resident property.” S1’s employment administratively ended on 08/09/2023. A preponderance of evidence exists to show that during the incident in question, licensee’s staff (S1) used R1’s automobile beyond the scope of their consent/permission, resulting in R1’s temporary loss of control of property, and causing R1 distress. One (1) deficiency was cited per California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (refer to the attached LIC 809-D). A Plan of Correction was jointly developed with the licensee. An exit interview was conducted with Dizon. A copy of this report, the LIC 809-D, the LIC811 Confidential Names List, and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided to Dizon and Hall during the visit.