Woman Faces Fines for 2nd Unlicensed Boarding Facility
State officials said Wednesday that a woman cited for running an unlicensed Palmdale board and care home where two men died in a fire last week faces fines for housing some residents of the facility in yet another unlicensed house nearby.
The state Department of Social Services cited Marie Gardner of the Littlerock area for maintaining an unlicensed residential care facility at 8812 E. Ave. Q, where an early morning fire apparently caused by a cigarette killed two residents last Thursday.
Department spokeswoman Liz Brady said Gardner was also cited for moving at least five former residents of that home after the fire to her home in the 9800 block of Avenue Q-10, where she is also allegedly running an unlicensed residential care home.
The violation of the Health and Safety Code carries a fine of up to $200 for each day that an unlicensed facility continues operating, Brady said.
Gardner could not be reached for comment. Officials said she leased the home destroyed in the fire from the owner, Zeather Crowe of West Covina.
In addition, criminal charges are still possible in connection with the accidental blaze. In conjunction with the Social Services Department and the Los Angeles County district attorney, investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments are still investigating whether criminal negligence or some other crime played a role in the deaths.
Brady said she did not know how long the unlicensed facility had been operating. Officials are awaiting a response from Gardner, she said.
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