306005484-2-4-2026-22-AS-APAO-DRNNVG-20260226094756

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 306005484
Report Date: 02/04/2026
Date Signed: 02/04/2026 05:02:42 PM

Unsubstantiated

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
06/21/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Edward Kim

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 22-AS-20210621141229

FACILITY NAME:	MERCEDES DIAZ HOMES INC - EMBER		FACILITY NUMBER:	306005484
ADMINISTRATOR:	VENEGAS, BRENDA		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	651 EMBER LN		TELEPHONE:	(562) 315-9824
CITY:	LA HABRA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90631
CAPACITY:	0	CENSUS: 0	DATE:	02/04/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:00 PM
MET WITH:	Staff- Maricela Gonzalez		TIME COMPLETED:	05:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Resident is not allowed to leave the facility.
Staff member inappropriately handled resident.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On February 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Edward Kim conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint investigation to deliver findings at the facility. LPA called the Administrator (ADMIN) Brenda Venegas who stated they could not make the visit to the facility today. ADMIN Venegas stated that Staff Maricela Gonzalez could sign on behalf of the facility.

LPA Kim conducted a physical tour of the facility with Staff Gonzalez. LPA observed 3 residents and 6 staff at the facility. LPA Kim reviewed and obtained the resident roster, staff roster, and one resident record including the following: ID and Emergency information, admissions agreement, and other pertinent information. LPA conducted interviews with six (6) staff and one witness.

The investigation revealed the following:

Continued on LIC9099C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Edward Kim
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/04/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026

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 4

Control Number 22-AS-20210621141229

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: MERCEDES DIAZ HOMES INC - EMBER	FACILITY NUMBER: 306005484
	VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026

NARRATIVE

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Allegation: Resident is not allowed to leave the facility.
It is alleged that the facility was holding resident #1 (R1) against their will when R1 was not conserved. It is alleged they don’t let R1 go anywhere. They let the other residents go out but not R1.

Based on record review, the Facility House Values from the admissions agreement dated May 3, 2021, stated the resident understands the facility values and would abide by the values. One of the house values stated that the resident agrees to be accompanied by staff to all community outings for health and safety support. All residents sign this agreement prior to being admitted to the facility. Facility profile assessment on R1 indicated behavioral concerns of elopement, physical aggression, and property misuse. LIC9172 Functional Capability Assessment dated May 3, 2021, lists the client’s medical history with autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and diabetes. It also stated that they have a history of behavior resulting harm to self or others that require supervision because of elopement, physical aggression, and property misuse. Regional Center Individual Program Plan (IPP) dated June 3, 2021, stated the father of R1 wanted to seek out the petition for conservatorship because it would help lead R1 to better choices and decisions in their life. The records state concerns about R1 and their decision even including leaving the facility unassisted.

Incident Report dated May 16, 2021, stated R1 left the facility and the staff was following them. R1 arrived at a McDonald’s and met with day program acquaintance. R1 returned to the facility with the acquaintance, where they practiced all COVID-10 protocols to meet. Incident report dated June 9, 2021, stated R1 left the facility at 7:30 AM, to work at their job, and was taken their by their parent. R1 notified the facility that their parent would return them to their facility. The facility stated R1 had an unauthorized absence to go to this job.

Based on interviews conducted, five out six staff and one out of one witness denied the allegation. One out of six staff could not confirm or deny the allegation. S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and W1 stated that the resident could not leave the facility without supervision. S1 and S5 stated that the facility’s level was where a resident needs to have supervision with family or staff to leave the premises. S1 and S5 stated that there are some facilities where residents can sign themselves in and out of the premises. They stated this facility is not one of those. The staff and residents understand when they are placed at this facility they need to leave with supervision from staff and/or family.

Continued on LIC9099C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Edward Kim
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/04/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 22-AS-20210621141229

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: MERCEDES DIAZ HOMES INC - EMBER	FACILITY NUMBER: 306005484
	VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026

NARRATIVE

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Based on the information gathered, there is no sufficient evidence gathered to confirm the above allegation. It is determined that five out of six staff denied that resident is not allowed to leave the facility because of their condition and understanding while living at the facility.

Allegation: Staff member inappropriately handled resident.
It is alleged that staff pushed a chair at R1. It is alleged that R1’s rights are being violated and the facility don’t want to help the resident.

Based on interviews conducted, five out of six staff and one out of one witness denied the allegation. One staff out of six staff could not confirm or deny the allegation. S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and W1 stated that there are no incidents where any staff pushed a chair at R1 during their time living at the facility. S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 stated that R1’s rights were not violated. Staff would regularly help out the resident, but the resident at times was indecisive or would not be patient enough to wait because R1 would want what they requested right then and there.

Based on record review, Incident Reports dated from May 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, do not indicate any incident where a staff member pushed a chair or did anything that was inappropriate towards R1. The Individual Program Plan (IPP) dated June 3, 2021, stated that if R1’s goals or desires were not obtained immediately this leads to a display of challenging behaviors that continually causes a barrier to their progress. It is also stated in the IPP that R1’s placement is unstable due to R1’s reluctance to allow their circle of support to assist them to meet their needs.

Based on the information gathered, there is no sufficient evidence gathered to confirm the above allegation. It is determined that five out of six staff denied that staff member inappropriately handled resident. From records and interviews, there was no incident where the facility staff pushed the chair at the resident or the facility violated R1’s personal rights and not provided help. It was shown that R1 does not allow staff to help and display challenging behaviors if goals and desires are not met immediately.

Continued on LIC9099C.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Edward Kim
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/04/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 4 of 4

Control Number 22-AS-20210621141229

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: MERCEDES DIAZ HOMES INC - EMBER	FACILITY NUMBER: 306005484
	VISIT DATE: 02/04/2026

NARRATIVE

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Based on observations, interviews, and records review, LPA did not find sufficient evidence to support the above allegations that resident is not allowed to leave the facility and staff member inappropriately handled residents. Although the allegation may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated.

Exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to Staff Maricela Gonzalez.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lourdes Montoya
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Edward Kim
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/04/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/04/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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