Juniper Canyon Living investigation: Looking into ownership and residents’ rights

(Update: adding video, comment from Ombudsman and former employees)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As part of our ongoing investigation into Redmond's Juniper Canyon Living, NewsChannel 21 looked into residents' rights and ownership of the residential care facility.

Former business manager Dawn Carter said, at times in tears, "We are there to take care of the people. They rely on us. We're their family now. We're there to take care of them. I - I will never, ever," and a long pause, " would I put my loved ones there, or anywhere else."

Carter worked at the facility for just over a year before being laid off in February. The 108-bed facility opened in September 2021 and cares for people with behavioral and mental health needs. It's owned by Don Tavolacci and according to staff is managed by his son-in-law, Austin Evans, under the company name CRH Northwest.

Our research shows the company owns five other facilities, including one in Portland and four in Washington state.

Since the start of our investigation two weeks ago, 50 former and current staff have reached out to NewsChannel 21 with allegations involving abusive conditions at Juniper Canyon Living.

Former employee Samantha Gordon, said, "There was talk by staff regarding the fact that the Redmond JCL was not the only one that had calls or any type investigation that had been going on. This was something that, according to what shared things from staff was, had been going on for quite some time."

The state agency ODHS has been investigating multiple complaints involving patient care and licensing at Juniper Canyon Living. ODHS at this point has not been able to confirm complaints at other facilities owned by CRH Northwest. Our request for the information is pending. 

The agency did share a document outlining patients' rights which include the right to refuse treatment, the right to speak with people in person or over the phone, the right to manage personal property and finances, and the freedom to do so without punishment or retaliation.

In regard to resident rights being dismissed, Carter said "The not letting residents have their phones. They take away their iPads. It's like as soon as they get there, they're in jail."

Another former employee, Joey Latourette, added "I've seen where they've withheld different types of dietary needs and not providing the correct foods for the residents, and telling them that they would have to eat what was made. I've also witnessed where some have been forced medications down their throats and choked on them."

Gordon also described residents deliberately being left in urine and feces.

Latourette continued, "I've seen also residents that have asked for counseling services, and to be able to go to Deschutes County Behavioral Health and meet with a counselor. They took those opportunities away from them and said that they weren't allowed."

There is a resident rights advocacy group in Oregon. The Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman tells us they started receiving reports of  abuse and neglect at Juniper Canyon Living in February.

In a statement sent to NewsChannel 21, they applauded the move by ODHS to disallow new residents moving in, but they are not aware if there's a move by the agency to protect current residents.

Carter describes what happens when state investigators arrive at the Redmond facility, saying, "It was like mice disappearing from the grain bin. When you open the lid, they just scatter." 

Current staff tell NewsChannel 21 investigators were back on the property as recently as Thursday.

Carter continued saying, "Paperwork would disappear out of clients' files and then reappear miraculously a couple days later. Things were being backdated. Other nurses were asked ... to backdate paperwork."

Redmond Police started their own investigation of the facility two weeks ago. This week, when asked about progress, they told us they're unable to comment at this time. 

Since the start of our reports,  we've learned of at least 15 employees who've quit or been told they were laid off.

Latourette said, "It needs the right people there doing training and running it, in order for them to be getting the care that they need. And until then, everybody that knows something needs to stand up. Because if not, they're going to continue to die, and they're going to continue to be abused." 

We reached out to the ownership of Juniper Canyon Living multiple times by phone, text and email with no response, in regards to the allegations of abuse and neglect from dozens of former employees.

You can see Matthew Draxton's previous reports on our NewsChannel 21 Investigates page.