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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 306004037
Report Date: 09/21/2026
Date Signed: 09/21/2026 01:16:56 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/11/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Eboni Bentley
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 22-AS-20260911144145
FACILITY NAME:LOTUS SENIOR CARE, HUNTINGTON BEACHFACILITY NUMBER:
306004037
ADMINISTRATOR:RITA LEEFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:7092 BLUESAILS DRIVETELEPHONE:
(949) 636-8007
CITY:HUNTINGTON BEACHSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92647
CAPACITY:6CENSUS: 5DATE:
09/21/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:00 AM
MET WITH:Rita Lee - AdministratorTIME COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff locked residents in their rooms
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On September 21, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Eboni Bentley conducted an unannounced initial complaint investigation visit into the above allegation. LPA was greeted and granted entry by staff after explaining the purpose of the visit, and met with Administrator Rita Lee.

During the visit, LPA obtained Resident and Staff Rosters, Emergency and Information Forms, Physician’s Reports, Pre-appraisal, and Needs and Service Plan. Interviews were conducted with residents and staff.

The following was determined during the course of the investigation:
Regarding the allegation, Facility staff locked residents in their rooms, it was alleged that staff locked residents in their room with use of exterior bedroom door locks and ropes to secure exterior exit doors. On August 31, 2026 at 2:00 AM, a neighbor called the Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD) because they observed a resident banging on a window.
Continue to LIC9099-C......
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kevin Saborit-Guasch
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Eboni Bentley
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 3
Control Number 22-AS-20260911144145
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: LOTUS SENIOR CARE, HUNTINGTON BEACH
FACILITY NUMBER: 306004037
VISIT DATE: 09/21/2026
NARRATIVE
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When the fire department arrived, a resident stated the staff locked her in her room.

Three out of five residents present during the today’s visit denied the allegation. One resident stated they feel safe, staff are always nice, and they do not recall the doors ever being locked from the outside. LPA was unable to qualify two residents due to their diagnosis. Three out of three staff confirmed the allegation. One staff, Staff #1 (S1) stated that when the HBFD inspected the facility on August 31, 2026, locks were installed on the outside of former Resident #1 (R1)/current Resident #2 (R2) and Resident #3 (R3) bedroom doors. The door handles were changed following that visit and have not been changed back. Another staff, Staff #2 (S2), stated R1/R2’s bedroom doors were locked from the outside handle and a rope was also used to tie the exterior sliding door handle for that room to R3’s exterior sliding door handle in order to prevent exit. A third staff, Staff #3 (S3) stated a rope was used to tie Resident #4’s (R4) exterior door handles together to prevent exit. This is corroborated by witness statements from the HBFD following a visit to the facility on August 31, 2026. Two follow up visits were conducted by HBFD, and it was confirmed that the locks on residents’ bedroom doors had been changed from the outside to the inside of the rooms and that ropes were removed from exit doors.

Based on interviews that were conducted and records reviewed during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the allegation: Facility staff locked residents in their rooms is deemed SUBSTANTIATED. A deficiency is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D, as per Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

An exit interview was conducted with Administrator Rita Lee and a copy of this report, LIC9099-D, LIC811, and appeal rights were provided at the end of the visit.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kevin Saborit-Guasch
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Eboni Bentley
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 22-AS-20260911144145
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: LOTUS SENIOR CARE, HUNTINGTON BEACH
FACILITY NUMBER: 306004037
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/21/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/22/2026
Section Cited
CCR
87202(a)
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(a) All facilities shall maintain a fire clearance approved ... county fire department or district providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal. ....and county fire department .. or the State Fire Marshal:
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Following the Fire Department's inspection, the facility removed the locks from the outside of residents' bedroom doors and removed ropes/belts from residents' exterior exit doors. LPA confirmed during visit. Administrator stated they will submit a statement of understanding, conduct training with staff, and submit proof to LPA by POC due date.
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Based on interviews and admission, the facility installed lock on the outside of residents' bedroom doors requiring a key to exit the and used ropes/belts to tie shut exterior exit doors, which posed an immediate safety risk to persons in care. CIVIL PENALTY ASSESSED.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Kevin Saborit-Guasch
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Eboni Bentley
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/21/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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