License revoked for Las Piedras care home following alleged abuse case

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes

By THE STAR STAFF

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes announced on Sunday the immediate revocation of the license for the long-term care home Casa Dorada in Las Piedras, following a report of a new case of alleged abuse against an elderly woman at the facility. “This care home was already the subject of an administrative investigation regarding alleged negligence in the provision of services to the elderly adults in its care -- a process the Department was closely monitoring,” the secretary said in a written statement. “As part of that investigation, and in coordination with their families, the majority of residents had already been relocated to other facilities.”

“At the time of the incident, only two private-pay residents remained -- meaning individuals not receiving services subsidized by the Family Department. Their families had chosen to keep them at the facility while transfer arrangements were being coordinated,” Roig Fuertes added. “However, following the events of July 11 and the decision to revoke the facility’s license, the Family Department will notify their families today that both residents must be moved immediately. To that end, they will be offered options for available long-term care facilities and provided with the necessary support during the relocation process, as they cannot remain at the home. The Department was actively addressing this situation when the reported incident occurred, which resulted in the authorities arresting the alleged assailant.”

The family secretary noted that the elderly woman who was allegedly mistreated remains hospitalized.

A police report stated that officers found the 86-year-old woman on the floor of a structure located in the basement of a residence. The victim was initially treated by emergency management personnel and subsequently by paramedics.

She sustained abrasions on various parts of her body and trauma to the head.

The other resident will be relocated to a long-term care facility.