Local News in Brief : Laguna Niguel : Owner of Care Home Disputes State Charges

The owner of a board-and-care home for the elderly closed by state order earlier this week said Wednesday that she thinks the action was unfair and based on wrong assumptions by state inspectors.

Elizabeth Jimenez, owner of Leisure Home for the Elderly, 22682 Ancona, said she believes that her facility has been well operated. The state Department of Social Services, however, on Monday closed the facility, charging it with several infractions, including allowing an elderly woman resident to get bedsores and bruises.

Jimenez said the unidentified woman resident, who she said is about 80, already had skin problems when relatives placed her in the board-and-care home.

Jimenez also disputed other state charges against the home. “I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I have always worked to keep this place fixed up,” she said.

Jimenez said she is trying to decide whether to appeal the state’s action. She said attorneys have told her it can be very expensive and difficult to try to fight a state closure order.