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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374604835
Report Date: 08/07/2025
Date Signed: 08/07/2025 06:07:26 PM

Substantiated


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
07/30/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Dang Nguyen
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20250730095451
FACILITY NAME:R.E. CARE HOMES LLCFACILITY NUMBER:
374604835
ADMINISTRATOR:EPPS, RHONDAFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:1095 OSAGE AVETELEPHONE:
(951) 446-9524
CITY:CHULA VISTASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91911
CAPACITY:6CENSUS: 5DATE:
08/07/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:30 AM
MET WITH:Licensee/Administrator Rhonda Epps and Co-Administrator Patricia DanielsTIME COMPLETED:
06:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Licensee did not keep a hazardous object secure from client.
-Licensee did not provide needed observation to client.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dang Nguyen conducted an unannounced visit to commence a Complaint Investigation regarding the above allegations. LPA was welcomed by, identified himself to, and discussed the purpose of the visit with Caregiver Carmen De Jesus. LPA then met with Licensee/Administrator Rhonda Epps and Co-Administrator Patricia Daniels, who arrived shortly after.

The Complainant alleged that Licensee did not keep a hazardous object secure from Client #1 (C1), and that Licensee did not provide needed observation to C1. [See LIC 811 Confidential Names List for a description of select person identifiers used in this report.] CCLD’s investigation involved an unannounced facility tour/welfare check and a collateral visit to C1’s day program site. The Department reviewed relevant care records and interviewed C1 and pertinent clients, facility staff, and outside sources.

[CONTINUED ON LIC 9099-C, 1 of 2]
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dang Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
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 08-AS-20250730095451
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: R.E. CARE HOMES LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604835
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2025
NARRATIVE
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[CONTINUED FROM LIC 9099]

According to their latest LIC602 Physician’s Report, C1 was diagnosed with Intellectual Disability. San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) records and behavioral consultant records both showed that C1 had a history of self-harm behavior.

The totality of records, interviews, and photographic evidence showed: On 07/23/2025, C1 departed R.E. Care Homes LLC and arrived at their day program site with a pumpkin-cutter tool in their pant pocket and an approximate one-inch scratch mark on the inside of their left forearm (the skin was not bleeding). The pumpkin-cutter tool was previously stored in the R.E. Care Homes garage, which is usually locked and accessible only to facility staff via coded keypad entry. C1 obtained this tool when staff left them alone inside the facility’s garage to do laundry. C1 said they later went to their private bedroom at the facility and tried to slit their arm with the pumpkin-cutter, but the tool was not sharp enough to cause a laceration. R.E. Care Homes LLC staff were unaware of this attempt. C1 then took the tool to their day program, intending to try again and telling this to a peer. The peer quickly alerted the day program staff, who confiscated the pumpkin-cutter tool and notified R.E. Care Homes LLC management and the proper authorities/agencies.

Multiple interviews also showed that the day prior (on 07/22/2025), C1 had verbalized desire to self-harm to day program staff. Day program management telephoned this occurrence to R.E. Care Homes LLC management, providing them timely constructive knowledge. Per interview, the lone facility caregiver [Staff #1 (S1)] who was on duty and supervising C1 the next morning (on 07/23/2025) was not aware of and understanding of the verbalization which C1 made at day program just the day before.

The Department concluded that the pumpkin-cutter tool, in and of itself, was not a hazardous object, by virtue of its dulled, child-safe design, and as further evidenced by C1’s inability to lacerate their skin with it despite their earnest attempt. However, C1 and housemate interviews showed facility staff sometimes unlocked the garage-entry door to allow C1 and housemates to do laundry tasks. The staff sometimes did not remain inside the garage with the client to continuously supervise them.

[CONTINUED ON LIC 9099-C, 2 of 2]
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dang Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
Control Number 08-AS-20250730095451
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: R.E. CARE HOMES LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604835
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2025
NARRATIVE
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[CONTINUED FROM LIC 9099-C, 1 of 2]

During LPA’s 08/07/2025 visit, he toured the garage with staff and observed the following hazardous items in plain sight, all within the first minute of LPA being there: Two (2) containers of Tide laundry detergent pods, one (1) 946-ml container of paint thinner solution, one (1) gallon-container of multi-surface waterproofer solution, five (5) assorted aerosol cans (i.e., adhesives, spray paint, etc.), one (1) Philips head screwdriver with a six-inch blade, one (1) pair of non-safety scissors, and one (1) rotary bench saw (the metal rotary blade was serrated, sharp, and easily accessed).

Based on records and interviews, a preponderance of evidence exists to show that Licensee did not keep a hazardous object secure from client and that Licensee did not provide needed observation to client. Both allegations are therefore Substantiated, and two (2) deficiencies were cited per California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (refer to the attached LIC 9099-D page). Plans of Correction were jointly developed with the Licensee.

An exit interview was conducted with Licensee/Administrator Rhonda Epps and Co-Administrator Patricia Daniels, to whom a copy of this report, the LIC 9099-D page, the LIC811 Confidential Names List, and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dang Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 08-AS-20250730095451
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: R.E. CARE HOMES LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604835
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/07/2025
Section Cited
CCR
80087(g)
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80087 Buildings and Grounds: “(g) …cleaning solutions, poisons… and other items that could pose a danger if readily available to clients shall be stored where inaccessible to clients.” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by:
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During today’s visit, the passageway door to the garage was secured/locked, resolving the immediate risk. Licensee agreed to train all facility staff on C1’s history of self-harm, and the importance of not leaving clients unattended while they are in the facility’s garage, and to E-mail the training sign-in sheet to LPA, by 09/07/2025.
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Based on records, interviews, and observation, Licensee did not ensure that cleaning solutions and other items which could pose a danger if readily available to clients, were stored where inaccessible to clients. This posed an immediate health and safety risk to 1 of 5 clients (C1) in care.
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Type B
09/07/2025
Section Cited
CCR
80078(a)
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80078 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: “(a) The licensee shall provide…supervision as necessary to meet the client's needs.” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by:
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Licensee agreed to train all facility staff on C1’s history of self-harm, and the importance of not leaving clients unattended while they are in the facility’s garage, and to E-mail the training sign-in sheet to LPA, by the POC due date.
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Based on records and interviews, Licensee did not provide supervision as necessary to meet the needs of 1 of 5 clients (C1). This posted a potential health and safety risk.
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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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dang Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4