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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197610309
Report Date: 07/12/2025
Date Signed: 07/12/2025 02:41:09 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS S.ASC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/25/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jose Gary Tan
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 31-AS-20240325121515
FACILITY NAME:VALLEY STAR OLIVE VIEW UCLA CRTFACILITY NUMBER:
197610309
ADMINISTRATOR:VICTORIA MELNIKOVAFACILITY TYPE:
772
ADDRESS:14119 BUCHER AVETELEPHONE:
(818) 290-5307
CITY:SYLMARSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91342
CAPACITY:16CENSUS: 13DATE:
07/12/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:43 AM
MET WITH:Gbenga Sonwunmi - AdministratorTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Questionable death

Illegal drug substance accessible to client(s) in care

Staff is operating out of ratio
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jose Tan conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint visit to this facility to further investigate and deliver the findings for the above allegations. LPA met with the Administrator Gbenga Sowunmi and explained the reason for today’s visit.

During the initial visit on 03/26/2024 at 9:36 AM, LPA obtained copies of the facility records, interviewed Staff and Administrator. This case was referred to the Investigation Branch (IB) on 03/25/24 and was assigned to Investigator Peter Zertuche. Investigator Zertuche conducted a separate investigation regarding the same allegations. During the course of the investigation, Investigator Zertuche interviewed staff from the facility, obtained records from Local Law enforcement, Fire department, Hospital and Los Angeles County Coroner’s office. Regarding the allegation of questionable death, it was alleged that on 03/11/2024, Resident #1 (R1) took illegal drug, had seizure and cardiac arrest and eventually died while in the facility. During LPA’s initial visit on 03/26/24, LPA obtained copies of facility record of R1 and interviewed the administrator and staff. (continued on LIC 9099-C)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Troy Agard
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jose Gary Tan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 2
Control Number 31-AS-20240325121515
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS S.ASC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
FACILITY NAME: VALLEY STAR OLIVE VIEW UCLA CRT
FACILITY NUMBER: 197610309
VISIT DATE: 07/12/2025
NARRATIVE
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(continued from LIC 9099)

Investigator Zertuche’s record review of Police report on 05/07/24 at approximately 4:00 PM, revealed that there was no evidence of foul play on the death on R1 and Investigator Zertuche’s record review on Los Angeles County’s Coroner report on 05/07/24 at around 5:00 PM revealed that the cause of death was accidental. There was no autopsy and/or toxicology examination done to R1. Further, Investigator’s interview with six (6) staff on 06/06/24, 07/26/24 and 08/21/24 revealed that R1 had no history of drug use for the last six (6) to eight (8) months and no history of drug use while inside the facility. Investigator Zertuche attempted to obtain medical records from the hospital but there was no record of R1 in the hospital.

Regarding the allegation that Illegal drug/substance accessible to client(s) in care, it was alleged that R1 collected money from other clients to buy illegal drugs. Investigator Zertuche’s record review on 06/12/24 revealed that R1 was granted Therapeutic Pass (An integral part of the program, a conditional pass up to twelve (12) hours for the clients to complete therapeutic tasks outside the community signed by the Interdisciplinary team which includes Physicians, conservator and/or case manager) on 02/06/24, 02/17/24 and 03/10/24. LPA’s interview with the administrator on 03/26/24 confirmed that Therapeutic passes are granted to clients who are doing good with the program and R1 was granted on the dates mentioned above. LPA attempted to interview four (4) former clients who reportedly gave money to R1 to buy drugs during R1's Therapeutic pass but all four (4) of them were already discharged from the facility and were unable to be reached. LPA's record review on 05/12/25 also revealed that there was only one incident on 03/13/24 that drug was found with the clients which added to the suspension of Therapeutic Pass and eventual policy revision and strict implementation of the Pass and search and seizure policy of the facility.

Regarding the allegation that Staff is operating out of ratio, it was alleged that the Facility operates at times, 1 staff to 12 clients and that there's not enough staff to care for the clients. LPA's record review on 09/15/24 and 05/12/25 revealed that during the time of the incident the facility had ten (10) clients and six (6) total staff on duty during the shift of the incident.

Based on the information gathered during the course of the investigation, including interviews and record reviews, these allegations are deemed unsubstantiated at this time. Exit interview conducted. Copy of this report issued.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Troy Agard
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jose Gary Tan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2