complaint·December 17, 2025

Regarding the allegation of “Staff hit resident in care”; it is the concern of the Reporting Parties (RP’s) that on 05/19/25, Witness 1 (W1) heard Resident 1 (R1) scream in pain three (3) times from inside the bathroom where R1 was with Staff 1 (S1). When R1 and S1 came out of the restroom, W1 asked what happened and it is alleged R1 stated S1 hit them on the head. No injuries were reported. During the initial complaint visit the LPA could not interview R1 as R1 had been moved out of the facility. However, interview with W1 revealed that R1 did not recall the incident later in the day of the alleged day it happened and confirmed that they heard R1 scream three times from the bathroom. When asked what happened R1 stated S1 had hit them. W1 also revealed that no one else witnessed the incident and another staff member was at the facility but not near the restroom to hear the incident. Interview with Administrator Michelle Racan revealed that S1 did not have any history of reported allegations against them, they have never witnessed S1, or any other staff hit a resident and that after the incident had been reported to them, they placed S1 on suspension. S1 was not present at the facility during initial and subsequent complaint visits. During today’s visit, facility representative Bernadette Abiera revealed that after S1 was placed on a two-week suspension they never returned to the facility. File review revealed that S1 was given a memo where they were notified, they were placed on a two-week suspension due to the investigation of the incident. Memo is dated 05/21/2025 and signed by both S1 and Administrator Michelle Racan. The LPA did not observe any other suspension or corrective action for S1 on file. Furthermore, file review revealed that S1 wrote an incident report, dated 05/19/2025, on their accounts of what happened. S1 wrote that R1 had been agitated in the morning and later around 10:00 a.m. they accompanied R1 to the bathroom and while S1 removed/pulled down R1’s pants, shirt and diaper they whimpered and S1 thought R1 was still agitated. Once R1 was done, S1 cleaned them and put back their pants, diaper, and shirt and R1 whimpered again. While going back to the couch, W1 approached them asking “what’s happening” and R1 told them that they were knocked on the head by S1 and S1 denied doing so. Lastly, S1 wrote that hurting a patient is something that they will never do. Interviews with Administrator Michelle Racan, three (3) residents, two (2) staff and two (2) witnesses revealed that no one has ever witnessed any staff member hit a resident. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, based on the information gathered the department does not have sufficient evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation, ‘Staff hit resident in care” is UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time. Exit interview conducted and copy of report issued.