Deputies say group home in terrible condition

Over 30 residents removed from the unlicensed facility

More than 30 residents were removed Monday from an unlicensed group home, where they were found living in ‘deplorable’ conditions with no food or medication, according to authorities.

So far, no charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies with the Harris County Pct. 7 Constable’s Office said they came upon Caring Hands Group Home about 3 p.m. Monday in the 14000 block of Long Meadow Drive on Houston’s south side. The department had received a call from the sister of a 62-year-old resident, who said he was being held hostage on the second floor.

In a statement, deputies said

“This is definitely, clearly the worst group home or care home facility I’ve ever seen.” Precinct 7 Sgt. Jon Meek

they found a total of 37 neglected and abused residents, most of whom were diagnosed with mental or physical disabilities, spread throughout the three-bedroom home. Deputies said some residents were sleeping in the garage, which did not have air conditioning. Deputies also noted a cockroach infestation, leaking water and only one working bathroom.

“In my 30 years of law enforcement, this is definitely, clearly the worst group home or care home facility I’ve ever seen,” according to a statement from Precinct 7 Sgt. Jon Meek, adding that the home “was in deplorable condition.”

Caseworkers with Adult Protective Services also were dispatched to the home. They counted fewer residents (35) than Harris County deputies, according to Melissa Lanford, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

She said the residents ranged in age from 38 to 82. Among them, 13 residents were transported to two different hospitals. Another 14 were taken to licensed personal care homes. Four were taken to assisted

living facilities. Two residents were picked up by family members, and another two walked away to buy food but never returned, Lanford said.

She said she did not have an update on the hospitalized residents’ condition as of Tuesday afternoon.

The home was not licensed with the state, she said. She said APS caseworkers reported that residents did not have medication or food, other than a pizza sent Monday by State Sen. Borris Miles.

The home is located in Miles’ district. The state senator could not immediately be reached for comment.

Pamela Greenwood, a spokeswoman for the Pct. 7 constable’s office, said the Houston Police Department’s Boarding Home Enforcement

Unit previously issued multiple citations for city code violations to the operators of the home.

It was unclear late Tuesday who oversaw the residents.

When Precinct 7 deputies arrived at the home Monday afternoon, they encountered two employees who refused to open the door. Deputies eventually entered and detained the employees, but the Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not accept criminal charges, the constable’s office said.

The 62-year-old man who originally reported to be a hostage in the home was found “exactly where he said he was being held,” according to the constable’s office. The man said weapons were in the home, but the constable’s office did not say whether deputies recovered any weapons.