2 Accused of Running Illegal Care Facility

Two women have been accused of operating an illegal board-and-care facility in Pacoima, Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn said Wednesday.

Named were Wanda Jean Grant, 36, of Palmdale and her grandmother, Amanda Lyle, 69. Lyle is the owner of the property at 12643 Garber St., where she lives, Hahn said.

Each is charged with one violation of the state health and safety code. If they are found guilty, they could receive a sentence of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for operating an unlicensed board-and-care facility. Arraignments are set May 5 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.

During a surprise inspection of the home in May, state Department of Social Services investigators found six residents, ranging in age from 34 to 74, said Deputy City Atty. Lauren S. Arky, who is prosecuting the case.

Hahn said Lyle denied that the five-bedroom house was being used as a board-and-care facility and insisted that it was a “boarding house with four or five guests.”

“However, investigators interviewed the six residents and discovered that many of them were in need of care and supervision, and determined that the facility was, indeed, being operated as a board and care,” Hahn said.

“The problem with this type of facility is that, while investigators did not find any glaring deficiencies in care and supervision, the operators had been evading DSS inspections by not obtaining a license and making the DSS aware of their operation,” he said.

“Lyle even told investigators that she once operated a licensed board and care but let the license lapse because she didn’t like inspectors ‘nosing around,’ ” he added.

Reached at the residence Wednesday, Lyle said she has a license to operate it as “an independent-care home.” She declined to comment further.