Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the arrest of the owner of Rose Garden Residential Care Home and an employee on charges of felony elder abuse. The charges stem from the death of a dependent adult under their care. Both individuals are now in custody and will be prosecuted by the California Department of Justice Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, each facing a single 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. Investigations revealed that the staff member assigned to his care had fallen asleep, unaware that he had left. The victim was discovered .4 miles away from the facility, wearing only a t-shirt and diaper, having died from cold exposure.

It is emphasized that criminal charges must be proven in court, with every defendant presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) works to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting cases involving abuse, neglect, fraud against elderly and dependent adults in California, as well as fraud perpetrated on the Medi-Cal program.

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. FY 2025 spans from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.