Originally Posted - July 17, 2006

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PINELLAS COUNTY---The former owner of an assisted living facility is facing multiple counts including neglect of the elderly and disabled as the result of a six month investigation of the facility.

Erik Anderson, 60, the owner of the St. Peterburg facility formerly known as Rosalie Manor, now under new ownership and operating as Dunedin Assisted Living, has been charged with seven counts of neglect of the elderly and disabled; two counts of an unsecure medical cabinet and one count each of witness tampering, child abuse, dispensing medication without a license and falsification of a medical log.

Based on a pattern of activities inside the facility, deputies reviewed 400 reports taken over a 10 year span under the ownership of Anderson. He is being held on $120,000 bond.

Officers of the Pinellas County Sheriff's office say under Anderson, Rosalie Manor housed a population of approximately 30 elderly and physically or mentally disabled resident patients. The facility is licensed through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

The investigation began on Dec. 16 when a deputy responded to a call regarding a suicidal person at Rosalie Manor. This case became the catalyst that resulted in the opening of the investigation. The deputy uncovered an allegedly neglectful situation in which a patient had been deprived of his prescribed medication, causing him to become mentally unstable and in need of hospitalization under the Baker Act. It was subsequently revealed that medications were missing, mishandled, and in some cases administered by an unauthorized 17 year old employee, not only for the patient in question, but for others as well, police said.

On June 25, an on-site spot check of Rosalie Manor was conducted jointly with the Office of the Attorney General investigators and PCSO. Numerous deficiencies were noted and it was decided that a follow-up visit was necessary to resolve concerns. On July 12, a follow-up visit was conducted involving these agencies, the AHCA, and other local regulators. Anderson was taken into custody July 14 without incident. 7-17-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette