Four charged in elder and resident abuse investigation

Four caregivers are accused of abusing elderly or developmentally disabled residents after investigations by the state Department of Justice.

Two of the incidents occurred at assisted living facilities in Rio Rancho and Santa Fe, while the other two involved alleged abuse of Development Disabilities Waiver recipients in Santa Fe and Las Vegas. Two of the defendants were caught on surveillance video, according to the office of state Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

“These charges send a clear message that abuse of vulnerable New Mexicans will not be tolerated,” Torrez said in a statement Tuesday. “The treatment of our elders and residents in care centers is a direct reflection of our values as a community. When caregivers violate that trust and inflict harm, they not only hurt individuals but undermine the safety and dignity of our entire system of care.”

All are facing charges of abuse of a resident, a petty misdemeanor that carries potential penalties of up to six months in prison. The incidents occurred within the last year and came to the attention of Torrez’s office through referrals from other agencies or complaints by the public.

Those charged in separate incidents are:

• Salomon Sanchez, 20, an employee at Community Options Inc., a Developmental Disabilities Waiver group home in Santa Fe, was captured on video May 11 forcibly grabbing a resident and shoving that resident’s face toward a table, Torrez’s office stated. The resident allegedly was refused assistance while the employee made degrading comments.
• Lee Carrizales, 64, an employee at Pacifica Senior Living Facility in Santa Fe, is charged with two counts of abuse of a resident for allegedly verbally assaulting two facility members on Jan. 7. Videos of this abuse were posted on Facebook and alerted to Torrez’s office by the New Mexico Department of Health.
• Linda Romero, 52, a paid caregiver, is accused of striking her adult son, a Developmentally Disabled Waiver recipient, multiple times in front of several witnesses in Las Vegas. on Jan. 23. The assault is alleged to have occurred outside the San Miguel County Income Support Division office.
• Edwars D. Bonilla-Aguinada, an employee at Morningstar of Rio Rancho Assisted Living Facility, is accused of aggressively forcing an 89-year-old resident with Alzheimer’s to undergo a diaper change after an accident on May 5, disregarding her discomfort and condition, Torrez’s office said.