Arlington police officials say they are now aware of at least 20 people who have died in the care of a woman who operated at least five different homes as part of an unlicensed nursing facility. It said it was still investigating whether it was “suspicious.” or criminal in nature. ”
In mid-March, Arlington police announced they were investigating multiple unlicensed apartment complexes operated by a company called Love and Caring for People. The company operates homes in Arlington, Grand Prairie and Mansfield.
The owner, Regula Becker, was arrested on February 15th and is charged with abandonment or endangerment resulting in an imminent risk of bodily injury. She is being held in Tarrant County, and her bail is set at $750,000. Law enforcement officials say Ms. Becker, 49, and her staff engaged in a number of other actions, including trying to cut off contact with her family and making purchases with customers' money without their knowledge or consent. He is charged with providing improper care to a customer.
Authorities have not filed additional criminal charges against Mr. Becker because he was “only charged in connection with one incident involving one customer.” “We anticipate that additional charges will be filed against her and possibly others when all is said and done,” Arlington Police Department spokesman Tim Ciesco said in an email Friday. Ta.
Ciesco said law enforcement will consult with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. Authorities believe at least 20 of Love and Caring for People's customers have died since September 2022.
“We are working with the Tarrant County Coroner's Office and their families to learn as much information as possible regarding their cause and manner of death and whether any of them are suspicious or if there is a We are determining whether there is a criminal person involved.”
The search warrant affidavit details some of the conditions inside the home, and family members told police that Becker was restricting communication with loved ones and that the situation had worsened. He stated that he had done so. In one case, a family member discovered multiple fraudulent debit card charges against a patient and her EBT card.
The affidavit lists the names of four people who died at the home operated by Becker: Roy Lee, 81, Steven Pankratz, 60, Karen Walker, 70, 61. Philip Johnson.
Law enforcement officials say 1210 Woodbrook Street in Arlington, 7411 Lake Whitney Drive in Arlington, 7419 Fossil Creek Drive in Arlington, 2059 Turtle Cove Drive in Mansfield and Hidden Brook in Grand Prairie. – We are aware of the five properties at 1852 Drive.
The department said its Behavioral Health Law Enforcement Division has been investigating the company for the past several months. Investigators are “in the process of reviewing evidence and speaking to potential victims.” [or] I am a witness,” Ciesco said.
The department has set up a tip line at 817-575-3230 for current or former clients and family members of clients of Love and Caring for People. Ciesco said the team is still working to contact the caller.
He said it may be difficult for investigators to “gather a lot of concrete information” because many of the facility's users died before the department's investigation began.
“The investigation will take time,” Ciesco said. “However, we want to assure the public that we are conducting a very thorough and robust investigation and are working diligently to bring justice to the victims in this case.”
