It is alleged that staff physically assaulted client with a broom and that it’s not the first time client has been hit by staff.

Staff deny the allegation. Interviews with (5) out of (5) staff revealed that clients in care are never physically assaulted by staff. Staff indicated that staff do not assault clients with brooms or other objects. Staff also indicated that they have not observed other staff assault clients. Interview with S1 – S3 indicated that C1 was physically aggressive toward S2 during an incident in which S2 and S3 were attempting to pacify C1, after C1 exhibited a mental health crisis in their room. S2 indicated that on 2/23/26, S2 attempted to provide support to C1 after hearing C1 yelling and talking to self in their room. S2 stated that during their attempt to pacify C1 with verbal prompts, C1 attacked S2 by continuously punching S2 on the face. S2 stated that they immediately shielded their face with both arms as they sat on a chair next to C1’s bed. S2 indicated that S2 did not hit C1 back and did not use a broom to assault C1. S2 indicated that they could not conduct Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) due to S2 sustaining injury as C1 punched S2 on the face, lips and arms. S2 indicated that S2 has never verbally or physically assaulted C1 or any of the other clients. S2 indicated that S3 tried to help S2 by attempting to move C1 away. S2 stated that C2 came into the room and provided S2 with their phone and called 911 which lead to police visiting the home. Interview with S3 indicated that S3 entered the room with S2 to help pacify C1 and observed C1 launching toward S2 and punching S2 on the face as S2 shielded the punches with their hands and arms. S3 further indicated that S3 attempted to move C1 away from S2 but could not because C1 was too strong to be moved. S3 stated that they also attempted to conduct CPI; however, was unable to due to C1 overpowering the situation. S3 further indicated that during the incident S3 did not observe S2 “fight back” or hit C1 with a broom. Interview with C2 indicated that they observed S2 being punched on the face by C1 as S2 shielded the punches with their arms over their head and face. C1 further indicated that S2 did not “fight back” nor used a broom to assault C1. C1 further indicated that staff do not physically assault clients or behave in any inappropriate manner. Further interviews with S1-S5 indicated that C1 has a history of fabricating information and being physically aggressive toward staff as part of their behavioral tendencies. S1 indicated that S2 has not been excluded from working nor has any disciplinary action been placed. S1 further indicated that S1 has never received reports from clients or other staff indicating inappropriate behavior by S2 toward clients in care.

****Continues on LIC 9099-C page 2****

Review of C1’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP) indicates that C1 has a history of being physically aggressive toward staff. Furthermore, Behavioral Plan provided to LPA by P2 indicates that due to C1’s mental state, C1 tends to fabricate information regarding staffs’ conduct.

Based on interviews conducted with staff, clients and Regional Center personnel and record review, the allegation that staff physically assaulted client with a broom and that it’s not the first time client has been hit by staff could not be corroborated.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is no preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Jennifer Torres, Administrator, and a copy of this report was provided.