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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 336423672
Report Date: 06/29/2021
Date Signed: 07/02/2021 08:15:08 AM

Unfounded


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1650 SPRUCE ST STE 200 MS29-27
RIVERSIDE, CA 92507
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/27/2019 and conducted by Evaluator Stephanie Torres
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 18-AS-20191127150134
FACILITY NAME:DESERT COTTAGE IIFACILITY NUMBER:
336423672
ADMINISTRATOR:ELIZABETH HENGSTLERFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:83-421 MATADOR COURTTELEPHONE:
(760) 289-6287
CITY:INDIOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92203
CAPACITY:6CENSUS: 6DATE:
06/29/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:30 AM
MET WITH:Ian Hartzel-Russell, Care StaffTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff chemically restrain resident
Facility staff does not allow resident to have visitors
Facility staff does not allow resident to use the telephone
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Stephanie Torres, conducted an unannounced visit to the facility todeliver the findings of the investigation into the above allegations. The LPA met with Ian Hartzel-Russell, care staff, and spoke with Administrator, Elizabeth Hengstler, over the phone. Hengstler was informed of the purpose of the visit.

Pertaining to the allegation, "Facility staff chemically restrain resident," it was alleged facility staff members had been sedating Resident One (R1) at night so the resident does not wake up their roommate when requiring assistance to use the restroom. The LPA initiated the investigation on December 03, 2019; resident interviews were conducted, records were reviewed and copies of pertinent documents were obtained. According to third party interviews, the resident was not receiving any type of sedative at the time the allegation was made. R1 was interviewed and denied being forced to take medication offered by facility staff members. According to Hengstler, no residents in care are administered medications not prescribed to them by their physician. Staff interviews were conducted; it was reported staff do not administer non-prescribed medications, nor do staff
Unfounded
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nedra Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Stephanie Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2021
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 2
Control Number 18-AS-20191127150134
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1650 SPRUCE ST STE 200 MS29-27
RIVERSIDE, CA 92507
FACILITY NAME: DESERT COTTAGE II
FACILITY NUMBER: 336423672
VISIT DATE: 06/29/2021
NARRATIVE
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force residents to take medications. Therefore, based on records and interviews, this allegation is deemed UNFOUNDED.

Regarding the allegation, "Facility staff does not allow resident to have visitors," it was alleged visitors are not allowed in the facility until Resident One (R1) becomes adjusted to their new living situation. According to the facility Plan of Operation, it is the facility's policy to allow for visitors to meet with residents, in private, without prior notice. Administrator Hengstler was interviewed and reported prior notice for visitations is requested for specific residents. Hengstler stated R1 has received visits since their admission to the facility, on October 14, 2019. R1 was interviewed and reported they have had visits since their admission to the facility, and are not, currently, requesting additional visits at this time. Therefore based on interviews, this allegation is deemed UNFOUNDED.

Pertaining to the allegation, "Facility staff does not allow resident to use the telephone," it was alleged facility staff are not permitting Resident One (R1) to use the facility telephone. The LPA observed a working telephone on the facility premesis. Administrator Hengstler was interviewed and reported having no knowledge of the allegation. Hengstler reported all residents have access to the facility telephone. R1 was interviewed and reported they have had no need for the facility telephone at this time. Therefore, this allegation is deemed UNFOUNDED at this time.

A finding that the complaint is unfounded means that the allegation is false, could not have happened, and/or is without a reasonable basis.

An exit interview was conducted with Hengstler, in which this report was reviewed, and a copy provided via email.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nedra Brown
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Stephanie Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2