Owners of Beach care home are charged with neglect

VIRGINIA BEACH

Police and social workers are investigating allegations that owners of a residential care home failed to provide enough staff to prevent one resident from assaulting another.

On several occasions, employees of the Pleasante Vue Residential Care Home at 1028 Baker Road witnessed one resident assaulting another and logged the incidents, but the home didn't have enough staff to prevent further violence against the "severely intellectually disabled" woman, according to an application for a search of Pleasante Vue filed in Circuit Court.

There was typically only one caregiver on hand at the facility, according to the application.

Social services and police investigated, and police announced Wednesday they've charged the home's owners, Lawrence and Sandra Batiste, with one misdemeanor count each of neglect of an incapacitated adult. The couple, ages 55 and 45, respectively, is free on bail and due in court Feb. 13, according to police and court records online.

Detectives seized staffing schedules, abuse-allegation forms and other documents from the home, according to court documents. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

The state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services licenses Pleasante Vue as a residential services provider. The license covers a broad range of 24-hour facilities, including community homes and supervised-living centers.

Pleasante Vue's license is effective through April 26, according to the department. Additional information on the license - including whether state officials have ever sanctioned or suspended it for noncompliance with regulations - was not available Wednesday.

City human services officials said they could not comment on the case.

A call to Pleasante Vue on Wednesday was not returned.

The victim has been moved to another facility, police said. She'd lived at Pleasante Vue for several years, according to the search application.

It's unclear how severe her injuries were or whether her assailant will face criminal charges, said Officer Tonya Borman, a police spokeswoman.

Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com