Marbella Chico

Allegation investigated: Staff are locking residents in the facility - SUBSTANTIATED

/25/2026 09:00 AM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rebecca Knight, made an unannounced visit to the facility and met with Executive Director (ED) Scott Blow. The purpose of this visit was to deliver the results of a complaint investigation. During the course of the investigation LPA conducted interviews, toured the facility and reviewed documents to include current fire clearance, memory care resident roster, memory care resident Power of Attorney (POA) information, written and signed statement of understanding/consent that the facility has locked exterior doors or perimeter fence gates for all residents who live in the memory care unit. Continued on LIC9099-C Substantiated Page 2 Staff are locking residents in the facility - SUBSTANTIATED It was reported that the facility is violating residents’ personal rights by locking them inside the Memory Care (MC) unit. It was further reported that some residents in the MC unit lack the capacity to consent to a locked-door placement and do not have a court-appointed conservator with legal authority to authorize such placement. On 02/10/2026, LPA inspected the garden gate located in the facility’s MC unit. LPA observed that the exterior side of the MC garden gate was equipped with a keypad to open the gate; however, the interior side of the gate did not have a keypad or any other mechanism that would allow the gate to be opened from inside the MC unit. At the time of the inspection, the gate could be opened from the exterior using the keypad, but no corresponding mechanism was available on the interior side. On 02/10/2026, LPA interviewed the Executive Director (ED), who stated that the Memory Care (MC) garden gate was secured by an electromagnetic lock that would disengage when the fire alarm system was activated, causing the gate to open automatically. The ED further stated that the gate could not be opened from the inside and that the facility was working with a locksmith to install a keypad on the interior side of the gate. The ED also stated that all residents had signed documentation on file regarding the secured community. On a subsequent visit conducted on 08/18/2026, LPA observed that a keypad had been installed on the interior side of the garden gate, allowing staff to open the gate from inside the garden. During the visit, LPA observed six interior doors and one garden gate within the MC unit. All six interior doors and the garden gate could be opened from both the interior and exterior sides using a keypad. LPA further observed that the Memory Care unit did not have any delayed-egress doors. Continued on LIC9099C Page 3 On 02/10/2026 LPA’s review of the facility’s documentation revealed that the Memory Care (MC) unit had eighteen (18) residents on the day of the visit. LPA reviewed the facility’s “Addendum to Residence and Care Agreement Consent for Secured Community” forms and found that sixteen (16) forms were signed by the residents’ Power of Attorney (POA). One (1) form was signed by an individual who was not identified in the resident’s records as the resident’s POA, and one (1) form was signed by the resident. When the complaint was opened on 02/06/2026, the facility had a locked exterior gate without an interior keypad that would allow staff to manually open the gate. The facility subsequently obtained updated fire clearance on 03/06/2026, which specifically included: “Clearance granted for new exterior gate keypad.” The current fire clearance approves only one (1) of the six (6) locked gates/doors in the MC unit. The facility must obtain updated fire clearance approving all six (6) locked gates/doors. Based on interviews and evidence obtained during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC9099D. Appeal rights were provided. Exit interview was conducted and the report was provided to ED Scott Blow.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 25, 2026 · control 59-AS-20260204095910

From the deficiency page — Deficiency type: Type A · Section cited: CCR 87705(f)(2) · Plan of correction due date: Sep 8, 2026

87705(f)(2) Care of Persons with Dementia (f) Licensees that lock exterior doors or perimeter fence gates shall meet the following initial and continuing requirements: (2) The licensee shall ensure that the fire clearance includes approval of locked exterior doors or perimeter fence gates and that facility staff on all shifts have access to, and know how to use, equipment needed to unlock exterior doors or perimeter fence gates. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews, observation and document review the facility failed to ensure that staff could open the memory care gate from the inside unless a fire alarm was engaged and the fire clearance on file did not include approval for locked exterior gate. In addition, the facility failed to ensure that the current fire clearance includes approval for 6 of 6 locked exterior doors in the memory care unit. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to residents in care.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 25, 2026

Plan of correction: Licensee agrees to obtain an updated fire clearance that includes approval for 6 of 6 locked exterior doors in the memory care unit. Licensee agrees to provide updated fire clearance to LPA as proof of correction.

Type of visit: Prelicensing

01/06/2025 08:00 AM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rebecca Knight arrived at the facility to conduct a pre-licensing visit for a change of ownership (CHOW) with residents in care. LPA met with administrator Scott Blow and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator waived Comp III presentation due to CHOW status. The fire marshal has approved the fire safety inspection request. The facility is licensed for a total capacity of 73 non-ambulatory and 6 bedridden residents for a total of 79 residents. The inside of the facility was observed to be in good condition and repair. The facility has an assisted living section and a memory care section. The facility has sixty seven (67) resident rooms with the same number of bathrooms, kitchen, two (2) dining rooms, laundry rooms, multiple common areas, office, and front and back yards. LPA observed ample seating for residents in the both dining rooms. LPA observed ample seating in common areas for residents to use. The hot water registered within Title 22 requirement range of 105 - 120 degrees F. The kitchen was observed to be clean and in good repair. Food storage meets Title 22 regulation requirements. Plates, utensils, pots, and pans were in place during the inspection. All appliances were all present and working. Continued on LIC809-C The facility has multiple fully charged fire extinguishers. LPA observed smoke alarms in all residents’ rooms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the facility. The facility fire alarm / smoke alarm system is serviced and inspected every three months by Cintas. Resident rooms were observed to have furniture as required by Title 22 Regulations. All beds were made up with linens and bedspreads. Bathrooms were observed to be in good repair. Storage and lighting are adequate in the resident rooms. Medications are stored in locked medication carts. Cleaning supplies and toxins are locked up in janitorial closets. The facility has three (3) laundry rooms with washers and dryers available for residents’ use. The facility also offers laundry services to residents and has a locked laundry room for this purpose. There is a locking office space where client and staff files are stored. There are covered patio area in the assisted living and memory care sections of the facility with tables and seating for the residents to use. The applicant has passed the pre-licensing portion of the application process. LPA will contact the Central Application Bureau. No deficiencies according to CCR Title 22, Division 6. Exit Interview was conducted and a copy of report was provided to the administrator.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jan 6, 2026

Type of visit: Office

Component II completion: Successful Facility Type: Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Application Type: Change in Ownership (CHOW) Capacity: 79 Census (if any clients in care): 64 COMP II Participants: Laura Rita-Fischer, Applicant Representative Scott Blow, Administrator Interview Method: Virtual interview (Microsoft Teams) On December 12, 2025, Applicant and Administrator participated in COMP II. Identification of the Applicant and Administrator was verified through interview questions based on photo ID and other identifying personal information. During COMP II, Applicant and Administrator confirmed that they have read and understand community care facility licensing laws included in the Health and Safety Codes and the California Code of Regulations Title 22. Signed LIC 809 with copy of photo ID have been obtained. During COMP II, CAB analyst confirmed Applicant and Administrator’s understanding of following areas: 1. Facility Operation: License Type, Client/Resident Populations, and Program. 2. Admission Policies 3. Staffing Requirements & Training 4. Restrictive/Prohibited Health Conditions 5. General Provisions 6. Emergency Preparedness 7. Complaints & Reporting 8. Pre-licensing Readinessthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Dec 12, 2025