Four Caregivers Facing Abuse Charges Against Elderly Residents

A recent investigation by New Mexico’s Department of Justice revealed alarming cases of abuse in care facilities, resulting in criminal charges against four individuals.

A caregiver at a Santa Fe group home, Salomon Sanchez, was caught on video abusing a disabled man, marking his second charge after a 2023 incident involving a disabled child. In the video, the male caregiver is seen walking behind the resident in a wheelchair and slamming his hands onto the table saying, “Play with your toys, fool.”

Other Incidents Involving Caregivers Abuse

According to a recent article, other cases include a caregiver in a Rio Rancho facility forcing an elderly 89-year-old Alzheimer’s patient through a distressing diaper change.

In a Pacifica Senior Living, a caregiver, Lee Carrizales, faces two charges of abusing a resident. According to investigators, he yelled and cursed at a female resident. In a video, he is seen yelling, “stop your (expletive) crying already, stop it!” and “You’re on your own now, I’m not dealing with you anymore.”

One of the four incidents also involves Linda Romero, who is paid to care for her disabled adult son in Las Vegas, N.M. through the state’s Development Disabilities Waiver. Based on reports from investigators, she struck her son multiple times in front of witnesses outside a state Income Support Division office in Las Vegas.

Based on a statewide courts database, Sanchez is the only caregiver out of the four that have faced prior criminal charges in New Mexico.

Oversight and Hiring Practices Exposed Leading to Consequences

Despite strict regulations and required background checks, the hiring process still has noticeable gaps. Community Options, Inc., a national care company, is under scrutiny for its practices, terminated Sanchez and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

In an article that reported the incident, Joseph Martinez, Head of the Department’s division that focuses on elder abuse cases, stated, “I mean, there’s no excuse for hitting somebody. There’s no excuse for yelling at somebody in such an awful tone and no excuse for abuse.” Unfortunately, so many of these types of cases go unreported, but Martinez believes that having these incidents on video and witnesses coming forward is crucial for making sure these incidents get reported.

Community Options, Inc. receives millions of dollars from the state and federal government to care for people with disabilities. Due to failed practices in facilities, the company was placed on a performance improvement plan by the state in November 2023.

All four individuals face petty misdemeanor charges, highlighting the need for stricter safeguards in protecting vulnerable residents in care facilities.

Contact PKSD if Your Loved One Was Abused by a Caregiver

At PKSD, we help victims and families of nursing home abuse every day, something we have been doing for decades. We have a proven history of success, having secured millions in compensation for our clients. We are committed to helping your loved one and family seek the justice that you deserve.

If you want to find out the next legal step to take, call our experienced Santa Fe nursing home abuse lawyers. During a free consultation, we can help determine your legal options at no risk to you. There are also no upfront costs or fees to hire our services. We only get paid if you do.

Call our trusted law firm for a FREE case review today. 505-677-7777