Failure to Timely Report Missing Resident Money to Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report incidents of missing money belonging to two residents to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) and local law enforcement within the required 24-hour timeframe. In one case, a resident reported that her wallet, which contained approximately $14 and some change, went missing from her room and was later found without the money. The resident stated she informed the Administrator, but both the Administrator and the DON claimed they were only told about the missing wallet, not the missing money. In another case, a resident filed a grievance after discovering that money placed in her billfold and stored in her recliner was missing. The wallet, which previously contained bills and change, was found with only two quarters remaining. The Administrator acknowledged that, upon learning of the missing money, she contacted the corporate office and was instructed to investigate, report, and reimburse the resident. However, the Administrator admitted that the incidents were not reported to DIAL or local law enforcement as required by facility policy. Instead, the incident was reported to the Ombudsman, who visited the facility. The facility conducted an internal investigation, interviewing residents and staff, but could not determine who took the money. Facility policy mandates that any suspected crime against a resident must be reported to both DIAL and law enforcement, which was not followed in these cases.