By Olivia DiVenti
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police executed a warrant at an
assisted living facility in Southwest Miami-Dade that is at the center
of a possible elderly exploitation investigation.
7News cameras
captured Miami-Dade Police Medical Crimes units arriving at the assisted
living facility on Southwest 122nd Avenue, Wednesday afternoon.
They claim that the home has been operating as an unlicensed assisted living facility.
“So
you’re looking at 30 individuals that are living inside a home, where
of course, it’s not certified by the state, it doesn’t have a license to
be an adult living facility, it’s not meeting the proper protocols and
procedures and guidelines that are brought forth in the State of
Florida, and of course, Miami-Dade County ordinances,” said MDPD
Detective Alvaro Zabaleta. “It’s something that is unsafe and, of
course, can be inhumane.”
The Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Health are also investigating the facility.
Police
told 7News that the facility has been in business for quite a long
time, adding that the patients inside are living in substandard
conditions.
“Multiple rooms subdivided within the home. It’s got bunk beds on there, some locker rooms,” said Zabaleta.
The employees at the home are being accused of taking care of patients without a medical license.
“These
individuals that are in here, that are employees, are not medically
trained, they don’t ave the proper certifications necessary,” said
Zabaleta.
Kimberly Baker lives and volunteers at the home. She said she was shocked when police showed up.
Neighbors told 7News those living inside would go around the neighborhood asking for different things.
But Baker said those claims are not accurate.
“They may beg for cigarettes, they’re always begging for cigarettes, ’cause they smoke them all up,” she said.
When asked whether patients at the facility have asked area residents for food, Baker replied, “No, no, not that I’m aware of.”
Fire rescue crews have responded to the facility many times this year for physical and mental illness.
Cameras
showed crews as they placed several patients on stretchers into
ambulances on Wednesday afternoon. Other patients were seen standing
outside.
Detectives, meanwhile, were seen removing bags of evidence from the home.
Family members of those who live at the facility showed up.
“I
hope the families and the police and the FBI can get together and help
them, because this is a sad situation.” said a neighbor who asked not to
be identified or show her face on camera. “Where are they going to
live? They’ve been living in this place for such a long time.”
Police
told 7News that they will be speaking to everyone at the assisted
living facility and will ask them how they arrived at the home. From
there, police will decide what charges the person running the operation
will face.
As to what’s next for those who live there, Baker said she hopes she is allowed to stay.
“I’m hoping, I’m hoping I can stay here. I’ve been here so long,” she said.
Police said anyone not determined to be vulnerable is able to stay the facility until they find better living conditions.
Full Article & Source:
MDPD investigate alleged elderly exploitation at assisted living facility in SW Miami-Dade