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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374603778
Report Date: 05/31/2024
Date Signed: 05/31/2024 03:15:27 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/28/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Nacole Patterson
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20230228111919
FACILITY NAME:HERITAGE HILLSFACILITY NUMBER:
374603778
ADMINISTRATOR:STEFANIE ANCHETAFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:2108 EL CAMINO REALTELEPHONE:
(760) 206-7930
CITY:OCEANSIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92054
CAPACITY:78CENSUS: 74DATE:
05/31/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:45 PM
MET WITH:Amanda Togia, Business Office DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
01:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
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5
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7
8
9
Neglect/lack of supervision resulting in sexual abuse.
Neglect/lack of supervision resulting in felony drug use.
Licensee retained residents that are incompatible with other residents in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
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3
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nacole Patterson conducted an unannounced visit to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegations. LPA introduced herself and disclosed the purpose of the visit to Amanda Togia, Business Office Director.

On 2/28/23 the following allegations were made against the Licensee: Neglect/lack of supervision resulting in sexual abuse, neglect/lack of supervision resulting in felony drug use, Licensee retained residents who were incompatible with other residents in care. The Department’s investigation consisted of unannounced facility visits, interviews with facility staff, residents, outside sources, and records review.

Regarding the allegation, "Neglect/lack of supervision resulting in sexual abuse", it was alleged that staff did not prevent Resident (R1) from taking sexual advantage of Resident 5 (R5), and staff did not prevent Resident 3 (R3) from inappropriately touching Resident 6 (R6). Staff members interviewed consistently denied that either event occurred, informing that residents are not allowed in other residents' rooms.
(Continued on LIC9099-C p.2)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 0
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer LottTELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole PattersonTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
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 08-AS-20230228111919
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: HERITAGE HILLS
FACILITY NUMBER: 374603778
VISIT DATE: 05/31/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Continued from LIC9099 p.1)

No staff interviewed had observed or been told that any resident was being forced to do something outside of their will. Staff interviews further revealed staff's awareness of residents' rights to have consensual intimate relations, per Title 22, Section 87468.1(b)(7)(A). Staff informed that R1 and R5 sometimes walk around the facility holding hands, and R3 and R6 had a close friendship that R6's family approved of. Outside source interviews corroborated staff statements regarding R3 and R6's relationship, stating they were happy about it and had no concerns. Resident interviews did not corroborate the allegation. No records were found to corroborate the allegation or that either alleged event occurred.

Regarding the allegation, "Neglect/lack of supervision resulting in felony drug use", it was alleged that the Licensee allowed Resident 3 (R3) to bring illegal drugs into the facility. Staff interviews revealed that a substance was found among R3's possessions prior to moving into the facility, but it was discarded and not tested to confirm what the substance was. Staff members interviewed consistently denied that any resident had used illegal drugs at the facility, including R3. Resident interviews revealed that no resident had knowledge of any illegal drug use at the facility, including R3, who denied ever using drugs at Heritage Hills. Outside source interviews did not corroborate this allegation. No records were found to support that this alleged event occurred.

Regarding the allegation, "Licensee retained residents who were incompatible with other residents in care", it was alleged that the Licensee had admitted homeless persons and drug addicted persons into the facility who did not have memory care issues. Records were reviewed regarding the residents in question- Resident 1 (R1), Resident 2 (R2), Resident 3 (R3), and Resident 4 (R4). The records revealed that the residents in question had the following assessments and/or appraisals prior to being admitted into the facility: Physician's Report (LIC602), Pre-admission Assessment, Needs & Services plan. R1 and R3’s files contained an additional Resident Appraisal, while R2 and R3’s files contained an additional Mini Mental exam confirming cognitive impairments. The records found were consistent with pre-admission records for all other residents prior to being accepted to live in the facility. The LIC602 forms revealed that R1, R2, R3, and R4 were all diagnosed with memory issues and/or Dementia, which was consistent with the population that the facility serves as a memory care facility.

(Continued on LIC9099-c p.3)
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer LottTELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole PattersonTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 08-AS-20230228111919
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: HERITAGE HILLS
FACILITY NUMBER: 374603778
VISIT DATE: 05/31/2024
NARRATIVE
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3
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5
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32
(Continued from LIC9099-C p.2)

Staff interviews confirmed that R1, R2, R3, and R4 were assessed prior to living at the facility, upon moving in, and ongoing as their conditions changed, as any other resident in the facility would be. Staff members interviewed consistently affirmed that the residents in question were compatible for the facility based on their cognitive needs, care needs, and behavior levels. No staff interviewed informed that any of the residents in question were not an appropriate fit to live at the facility. Outside source interviews did not corroborate the allegation.

Based on interviews, direct LPA observations and records review, the investigation did not yield a preponderance of evidence to conclude that the allegations of neglect/lack of supervision resulting in sexual abuse, neglect/lack of supervision resulting in felony drug use, and Licensee retained residents who were incompatible with other residents in care occurred. Based on the foregoing, the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Amanda Togia, Business Office Director, to whom a copy of this report and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jennifer LottTELEPHONE: (619) 346-3976
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nacole PattersonTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2301
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/31/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3