336413271-9-19-2025-18-AS-APAO-DLTP3V-20250924105811

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 336413271
Report Date: 09/19/2025
Date Signed: 09/19/2025 10:04:46 AM

Unfounded

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE ASC, 1650 SPRUCE ST STE 200 MS29-27
RIVERSIDE, CA 92507

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/22/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Janette Romero

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 18-AS-20230922152416

FACILITY NAME:	DESERT COTTAGE		FACILITY NUMBER:	336413271
ADMINISTRATOR:	ELIZABETH HENGSTLER		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	83-617 HIMILAYA DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(760) 342-7767
CITY:	INDIO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92203
CAPACITY:	6	CENSUS: 5	DATE:	09/19/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:30 AM
MET WITH:	Licensee, Elizabeth Hengstler		TIME COMPLETED:	10:15 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff denied resident visitors
Due to staff neglect, resident had multiple unexplained bruises
Staff overmedicated resident
Staff did not notify authorized representative of incidents
Staff increased medication without authorization

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 09/19/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Janette Romero conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to deliver an amended version of the original report regarding the allegations listed above. LPA met with Licensee, Elizabeth Hengstler who was informed of the purpose of the visit.

The alleged victim has been identified as Resident 1 (R1). Licensee Hengstler reported R1 never resided in this facility. LPA contacted R1’s responsible person who confirmed R1 never resided in this facility. LPA reviewed R1’s admission agreement signed and dated 08/30/2023, noting the agreement is with a different facility located at a different address. Therefore, the allegations noted above are unfounded. Unfounded means the allegations are false, could not have happened and/or are without a reasonable basis. The Department has opened a complaint at the facility R1 resided at to investigate the allegations. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report and Confidential Names list (LIC 811) was reviewed and provided to Licensee Hengstler.

Unfounded

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Janette Romero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/19/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/19/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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