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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 306004192
Report Date: 07/24/2026
Date Signed: 07/24/2026 04:17:32 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/21/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Sean Haddad
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 22-AS-20260721085252
FACILITY NAME:WHITTEN HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CAREFACILITY NUMBER:
306004192
ADMINISTRATOR:STEVE SHENFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:200 WEST WHITTIER BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(562) 691-1200
CITY:LA HABRASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90631
CAPACITY:196CENSUS: 122DATE:
07/24/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:33 PM
MET WITH:Faye ShenTIME COMPLETED:
04:32 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff allow residents to smoke in non-smoking areas
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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This unannounced inspection is being conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sean Haddad for the purpose of investigating the above-mentioned complaint allegation. LPA met with Chief Operating Officer (COO) Faye Shen, discussed the purpose of the inspection, and explained the allegation.

The investigation into the allegation that staff allow residents to smoke in non-smoking areas revealed the following: During the course of the investigation, LPA inspected the facility, interviewed COO and residents, and obtained and reviewed copies of the resident roster, staff roster, and Resident #1’s (R1) facility progress notes.

CONTINUED
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sean Haddad
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
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 3
Control Number 22-AS-20260721085252
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: WHITTEN HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 306004192
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/24/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
07/25/2026
Section Cited
CCR
87468.1(a)(2)
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87468.1 Personal Rights… (a) … (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on observations and interviews,
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The licensee stated that R1 is already being moved closer to the designated smoking area and they will submit proof to LPA by 07/31/26.
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 the licensee did not ensure a safe and healthful environment by allowing R1 to smoke in their room near rooms with oxygen, which poses an immediate safety and personal rights risk to persons in care.CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSED
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Licensee stated they will investigate the smoke smell near stairway 3 and provide a plan to address it to LPA by POC due date.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sean Haddad
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 22-AS-20260721085252
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: WHITTEN HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 306004192
VISIT DATE: 07/24/2026
NARRATIVE
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It was alleged that the facility is allowing residents to smoke in their rooms. LPA interviewed COO who stated that the designated smoking area is the central courtyard and smoking is not allowed anywhere else. LPA inspected the facility and noted the smell of smoke around stairway 3 in the first floor hallway when no smoke could be smelled in the central courtyard. COO was unable to explain the smell of smoke in the first floor hallway, stating no nearby residents are known to smoke. LPA inspected five occupied rooms on the second floor and noted that R1’s room smelled like smoke and ash, indicating R1 has smoked in their room often and for a long time. COO stated that R1 has smoked in their room in the past because they are far from the designated smoking area, R1 has been given warnings, R1 has stopped smoking in their room in response to these warnings, but R1 has also resumed smoking in their room necessitating additional warnings. Per R1’s facility progress notes, R1 was given a warning on July 19, 2026, about smoking in their room. This is the only documented warning R1 received. COO stated that R1 is currently in the process of being relocated to the first floor, closer to the central courtyard, to encourage them to smoke in the designated smoking area. LPA also observed that rooms close to R1’s room contained oxygen, which increases the safety risk of R1 smoking in their room. When interviewed, R1 denied smoking in their room, stating they smoke two cigarettes a day only in the courtyard since moving in. However, residents nearby corroborated smelling smoke, that the smell bothered them, and that this is not a recent issue. The information obtained corroborated that the facility did not timely and sufficiently address R1 smoking in their room, which is not a recent issue and creates a risk due to oxygen being nearby.

During the course of the investigation, the Department obtained sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation mentioned above. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegation is Substantiated. See LIC9099D for cited deficiencies per Title 22 Division 6 of the California Code of Regulations. Civil penalties for repeat violations are being assessed. See LIC421FC. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and appeal rights was discussed with and provided to facility representative.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sean Haddad
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/24/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3