Several adults were ‘rescued’ in a quiet Carson neighborhood, authorities said
Carson resident Evy Llamas recalled seeing furniture moving in and out of the house down the street, new faces coming in and out, and what appeared to be heavy clutter inside.
“There were couples who were always there trying to clean up, it looked like there was a lot going on,” said Llamas. But as far as what they found, you wouldn’t see that. You couldn’t tell what was going on there.
Llamas is retired and was at home the day deputies arrived at his neighbor’s home in the 200 block of West 234th Street. He watched as police cars and ambulances gathered outside the home.
“I just saw old people sitting outside,” he said. “I didn’t even know it was a home for the elderly before the incident, I thought they were just renting out rooms.”
But according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the seemingly ordinary home was operating as an unlicensed nursing home where elderly residents were malnourished and neglected.
Tina de los Reyes lives near the area and said local life feels normal in the area.
“I was very surprised,” said De los Reyes. “I knew the owners of the house and they seemed nice.”
Reyes said several elderly people in the home would sit outside from time to time and greet him from time to time.
“There is nothing more important than protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, especially the elderly,” said Captain Alise Norman of the Carson Sheriff’s Station.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, Alicia Hogg, 72, and Gary Hogg, 80, were arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and fraud as part of the investigation, officials said.
Investigators first responded to the address on Feb. 24, when they found and rescued seven elderly patients who were malnourished and neglected, deputies said. Three more patients were rescued on Tuesday during the search operation, bringing the number of rescued adults to 10.
“There is nothing more important than protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, especially the elderly,” said Captain Alise Norman of the Carson Sheriff’s Station.
The operation involved the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the California Department of Justice, the California Department of Social Services, Los Angeles County Adult Protective Services and the city of Carson.
The Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disability said in a statement that APS social workers remain on site to connect rescued people with emergency food assistance, health care and licensed nursing facilities.
“Whenever APS becomes aware of allegations involving abuse, neglect or exploitation of dependent or elderly adults, we work closely with law enforcement and regulatory partners to prioritize the safety and stability of clients,” said Maral Karaccusian, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities.
Neighbors say the area didn’t raise any red flags, although some have noticed strange things over time. Court dates for Hoggs had not been set as of Friday.
