San Diego Residential Care Facility Owner Charged With Elder Abuse

SAN DIEGO, CA — The owner of a San Diego residential care facility is facing elder abuse charges for the alleged neglect of senior citizens staying at her facility, the California Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday.

Maria Erolina Delgado, 62, who owns J & M Happy Guest Home, is accused of leaving the facility "severely understaffed," resulting in multiple residents suffering from bed sores, dehydration and malnourishment. The California Attorney General's Office also alleged some residents were left in soiled diapers for days at a time.

A criminal complaint filed earlier this month in San Diego Superior Court charges her with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of elder abuse involving four different residents. All the conduct allegedly occurred in 2020, according to the complaint.

"Our elders deserve care that is safe, dignified, and consistently held to the highest standards. When those entrusted with the care of elderly residents fail to live up to these standards and put Californians in harm's way — we take action," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

— City News Service