Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010 | 2:30 p.m.
A caregiver at a Las Vegas group home for elderly and disabled individuals received a 30-day suspended jail sentence today for neglect of duty in willful or wanton disregard of safety of person or property, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said.
Lilia Serrano, 50, was sentenced for the gross misdemeanor by Clark County District Court hearing master Melisa De La Garza. Serrano also was sentenced to one year probation with conditions that she perform 20 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
“We have an obligation to ensure that our older and less able citizens are receiving proper care and attention,” Cortez Masto said. “Prosecuting these cases promotes safe and secure living environments for our citizens who depend on the care of others.”
Serrano was the caregiver on duty at Angels Care Group Home, 1905 S. 17th St., on Sept. 9, 2009, when one of the residents called 911 to report a medical emergency. Upon arriving at the facility, emergency responders found the medical emergency report was unfounded. The emergency responders also discovered that no caregiver was present at the facility.
Serrano arrived shortly thereafter, having been absent from the facility for three to four hours. Metro Police abuse/neglect personnel referred the matter to the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. The matter was turned over to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
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