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Health inspectors report hundreds of violations at south Charlotte Alzheimer's care center

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Health inspectors found a south Charlotte Alzheimer's care center in horrific condition, a report reveals.

The report says patients are being bitten by bugs, cockroaches were found on the floor and workers failed to notice when a patient in a wheelchair made it outside and into traffic.

Channel 9 reporter Blaine Tolison investigated the 166-page statement of deficiencies from the state directed at Regency Retirement Village on South Boulevard.

Mia Guinther, who took her father, a retired Army veteran, out of the care center in January, said she isn’t surprised by the long list of violations.

"It was not what it was meant to be,” Guinther said.

Guinther said the staff members at Regency weren't ordering her father’s heart medicine that he depended on since his stroke.

She also wasn't happy with the conditions.

"The front room look clean nice, neat, welcoming,” Guinther said. “You go up to the second, third floor, it just smells wretched."

When Mecklenburg County health inspectors visited Regency earlier this month, they found dead cockroaches in several areas of the building and live bedbugs in a room.

In two other rooms, they found soiled and stained sheets.

Inspectors also took off points for a list of repairs and cleaning that are needed.

Guinther said she brought up some of the issues to management.

"I said it smells real bad,” Guinter said. “He said, ‘These people are bed-bound. What do you want me to do about it?’"

The state investigation found more violations.

One resident had a cat that would get loose and bite staffers if they attempted to catch it.

Investigators smelled urine and feces in the building, along with disrepair and disgusting conditions.

In December, a patient with Alzheimer's disease left the facility in his wheelchair when the front desk attendant was on a smoke break, and made it to a gas station a quarter-mile away.

"He knew something was wrong there. He wanted out of there,” Guinther said.

Regency has a provisional license to operate until December.

"Really start researching your places,” Guinther said.

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