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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 455002818
Report Date: 11/18/2025
Date Signed: 11/18/2025 03:51:38 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/17/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Sarah Benson
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 59-AS-20250717094415
FACILITY NAME:MERAKEY - OLD 44FACILITY NUMBER:
455002818
ADMINISTRATOR:SHAW, NATALIEFACILITY TYPE:
738
ADDRESS:21345 OLD 44 ROADTELEPHONE:
(530) 768-7336
CITY:REDDINGSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96003
CAPACITY:4CENSUS: 2DATE:
11/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:16 PM
MET WITH:Administrator Natalia ShawTIME COMPLETED:
04:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not treat resident with dignity/respect.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 11-18-25, Sarah Benson, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) arrived at the facility unannounced to deliver final findings regarding a complaint that was received on 07/17/25. LPA Benson met with Administrator Natalia Shaw and Director of Programs Carrie Lustig, and explained the purpose of the visit.

During the interview process, three staff persons and one resident were interviewed. The following documents were received and reviewed: IPP, admission agreement, outing logs and ABC logs.

Continued on substantiated 9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sarah Benson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
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 3
Control Number 59-AS-20250717094415
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: MERAKEY - OLD 44
FACILITY NUMBER: 455002818
VISIT DATE: 11/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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During the investigation process, most of the people interviewed reported there was a previous staff that spoke to the client inappropriately. It was reported that one staff member stated that they only have sex with younger males. It was reported, we did have a worker that did talk about sex at work, she is no longer working here. It was reported that staff told R1 If you are not going to help yourself then I don’t have to help you.


Based on investigation observations, record review(s) and interviews which were conducted the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is cited on the attached LIC 9099D. Appeal rights were explained and provided to the facility representative listed above and exit interview conducted. If any of the cited deficiencies are not corrected by the noted due date, civil penalties may be assessed.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sarah Benson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 59-AS-20250717094415
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: MERAKEY - OLD 44
FACILITY NUMBER: 455002818
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/18/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/18/2026
Section Cited
CCR
80072(a)(1)
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80072 Personal Rights (a)(1)
(a) Except for children’s residential facilities, each client shall have personal rights which include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.
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The licensee will conduct a training with staff about clients personal rights.
The licensee will conduct a training with staff concering reporting incidents to licensing.
The licensee will notify LPA when complete.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews it was determined that the staff did not treat the resident with dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This poses an immediate Health and Safety risk to residents in care.

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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: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sarah Benson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3