California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest and charges against the owner of Rose Garden Residential Care Home and her employee for felony elder abuse. The charges stem from an incident that led to the death of a dependent adult under their care. Both individuals have been taken into custody and will face prosecution by the California Department of Justice Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, each charged with one count of felony elder abuse.
"Elders deserve care, respect, and protection," stated Attorney General Bonta. "Those who are responsible for the care of elderly and dependent adults carry a profound duty to ensure their safety and well-being. At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to standing against any form of elder abuse or neglect, and we will take immediate action to hold accountable those who exploit or harm these vulnerable individuals."
The victim was an 88-year-old dementia patient found deceased after leaving Rose Garden. An investigation revealed that a staff member responsible for his care had fallen asleep, unaware of his absence. The victim wandered 0.4 miles away from Rose Garden wearing only a t-shirt and diaper, resulting in death due to cold exposure.
It is emphasized that criminal charges must be proven in court, as every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) aims to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting cases involving abuse, neglect, fraud against elderly or dependent adults in the state, as well as fraud on the Medi-Cal program.
The DMFEA receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through a grant totaling $69,244,976 for Federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of California. Fiscal year 2025 spans from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.