A Connecticut assisted living and independent living facility, cited over the summer for multiple alleged fire safety violations, was forced to relocate some of its residents after two employees overdosed last week.
Caroline’s Residential Care, also known as Caroline Manor, in East Haven, CT, was cited for 19 fire code violations during a surprise August inspection, according to the New Haven Register. The violations included electrical and wiring issues, multiplug adapters used in place of permanent outlets, improper use of extension cords, failure to install fire extinguishing equipment, and failure to provide emergency lighting and egress doors — one of the building’s two front doors reportedly was boarded up, and several interior doors were removed.
The facility was given 30 days to correct the violations and was due for a re-inspection Oct. 6, but the overdose of the only two employees on site Sept. 22 prompted the New Haven Fire Department to relocate residents from the portion of the building with violations that have not been addressed, the media outlet said.
The two employees reportedly overdosed on fentanyl. They were discovered by a visiting nurse who was checking on a resident and found the community’s residents unsupervised. The two employees — one of whom was reported to be the facility manager — required naloxone (Narcan), a prescription medication used to treat known or suspected opioid overdose emergencies, before they were taken to New Haven Hospital for treatment, according to the newspaper. The East Haven Police Department responded to remove “a pretty significant amount” of narcotics left in plain view and is conducting a criminal investigation of the incident.
The facility is cleared by the fire department for 16 residents but allegedly had 21 residents, according to WTNH News 8 (the facility website says it has 16 single- and double-occupancy rooms). The Connecticut Department of Public Health also reportedly is conducting an investigation into the community.
Owner Tim Conroy Jr. had not responded to requests for comment from McKnight’s Senior Living by the production deadline.
