Attorney General joins Midvale care facility investigation as families call for justice
Jan 28, 2022, 7:15 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:52 pm
MIDVALE, Utah — The investigation into a Midvale care facility shut down for alleged “deplorable” conditions deepened Thursday as the Utah Attorney General’s Office also confirmed it was looking into the matter.
The AG was “actively investigating” the situation, according to a spokesman who did not elaborate further on the extent, nature or focus of the state’s investigative efforts.
On Wednesday, Unified police officers joined Unified firefighters and Salt Lake County Health Department workers in a joint operation to shut down the facility, located at 163 E. 7800 South.
(KSL TV)
Investigators said they found raw sewage along with other health hazards and safety issues surrounding the facility’s 16 residents.
“I mean, I was sick every time I walked in there,” said Susan Reed, who told KSL TV she removed her brother from the facility last Friday because of the poor conditions.
She said she became physically ill after the last visit, in which she took photos and videos documenting the appearance of the carpet and walls as well as what she said was raw sewage on the floor in the basement.
“I cried all the way home — it was just so horrible,” Reed said. “I mean, we paid $1,400 for my brother to stay in filth.”
Reed said the ownership never did anything to improve conditions, even with a lack of heat in the building in the middle of winter.
“Over and over again he said, ‘Yes, it’s going to be fixed’ and we called and said, ‘What the heck, there’s no heater,’” Reed recalled. “He hung up on us and blocked our numbers.”
KSL attempted to reach the listed owner of the facility but did not receive a response as of late Thursday night.
Reed said she would have removed her brother from the facility sooner, but she said he had made friends and did not want to go because of that.
“He got to the point where he was like, ‘I’m dying here,’” Reed said.
Reed said she was grateful local and state investigators were taking action.
“If somebody didn’t shut them down, I don’t know what would have happened,” Reed said.
She said she hoped those responsible would face justice, one way or the other.
“Justice is to shut down all of their facilities,” Reed said, “and that they are never allowed to take advantage of people again.”
