Two nursing homes will continue to be searched for evidence
Published 6:58 pm Thursday, September 21, 2017
By David Ball
The search can begin.
Judge Baylor Worthman denied a motion to dissolve a temporary restraining order to search for evidence at Lake Arthur Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Cypress Glen Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Michelle LaBrie, court coordinator for the 136th District Court, said investigators can look at sites at the nursing home as part of the investigation.
“An expert will be looking only in the kitchen and under the carpet (of Lake Arthur Place),” LaBrie said.
Jeff Rosetta, administrative director of the Lake Arthur Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, is accused of criminal negligence or recklessness after a search warrant affidavit was issued.
Rosetta was the director and seen on live television as elderly residents were being evacuated from flood waters at the nursing home on Lake Arthur Drive in Port Arthur when Tropical Storm Harvey hit on Aug. 30.
The affidavit for the restraining order accused Rosetta of “failing to provide adequate care and safety of numerous elderly individuals that were in the care, custody and control.”
The investigation is being conducted by the Port Arthur Police Department, the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
Attorney Chip Ferguson, who is representing the families and residents of both facilities, said the decision made Wednesday means both nursing homes can be entered and inspected.
Ferguson said the decision was “a good day for the truth.”
Two engineers will inspect the facilities on Friday to determine how much water was in the facilities at various times. They will also determine if various contaminants and toxins were in the water.
“We’re very satisfied (with the hearing) and we look forward to tomorrow (Friday),” Ferguson said. “It provides answers to families and residents.
“We will press on and be aggressive on behalf of our clients. We think they were mistreated and reduced to numbers and we’re not going to stand for it.”
Attorney Jesse Beck who was also at the hearing could not be reached.
