It is alleged that resident has been punched by roommate multiple times in which one incident resulted in a bruise on resident’s torso. It is also alleged that resident reported the incident to staff and asked to be moved to another room, but nothing was done.

Interviews with (6) out of (6) staff deny the allegation. Staff interviews indicated that R1 did not report an altercation with R2 which resulted in an injury to R1’s torso to staff. Staff stated that no other incidents between R1 and R2 have been reported by them to staff. Staff stated that R1 and R2 have disagreements from time to time about the volume on the television set being too loud or about the AC settings being too cold; however, disagreements do not escalade to physical aggression. S1- S4 indicated, R1 had been moved to another room after R1 made a request to administrative staff; however, R1 requested to be moved back to the room with R2. S1 and S2 indicated that when the change of room was granted for R1 to return to the room with R2, R1 was informing that requesting another room change may be difficult to undergo due to rooms not being available. Staff further indicated, when residents have altercations with their roommates, staff intervene by deescalating tension between them and providing the option to spend the night in an empty room to put space between residents. Furthermore, staff are mandated reporters, and any form of abuse is reported to ombudsman, licensing and or/law enforcement. Interview with R2 indicated that R2 did not hit R1 on the torso and has never hit R1. R2 stated, R1 and R2 sometime argue about the temperature in the room being too cold, but they have not hit R1 during their disagreements. R2 further indicated, their health is not good and cannot make jolting movements to hit another person. R2 stated, they suffer from joint pain and have had heart surgery in the past and cannot risk getting hit back by a person. Telephonic interview conducted with R1 indicated, R1 and R2 have argued about the temperature of the room which R2 likes to maintain in the coldest setting. R1 indicated, R2 punched R1 on the left side of their torso due to complaining to staff about the disagreements they have had about R2 setting the AC too cold and about R2 engaging in frequent sexual acts in R1’s presence. Two (2) of R1’s family members were also interviewed telephonically, and they indicated that R1 expressed concerns about R2 punching R1 in the torso as retaliation for R1 reporting R2 to staff. Family members also indicated that they saw the bruise on R1’s left side below the arm pit which looked like a fist mark. Record review indicated that R1 was moved to a secondary room after initial admission to the facility. Record indicates, R1 remained in the secondary room for a short period; but requested to return to the room R1 was initially installed in with R2.

Based on interviews and record review, the allegation 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 Jacqueline Cortez, Executive Director, and a copy of this report was provided.