Three Rivers Care: Staff Stole $160 From Resident - WA
Staff member D at Three Rivers Care accompanied the resident on two store visits, requesting $60 in cash back on April 8 and $100 on April 28, according to receipts obtained during a state investigation. The resident remained in the car during both trips and never received the cash or receipts.
"I haven't loaned or given anyone money," the resident told investigators on August 5. "In the facility or friends outside the facility."
The resident said she never asked for cash back during either shopping trip. On the first visit, she stayed in the car with another staff member while Staff D went inside the store. During the second trip on April 28, Staff D approached her about a candy sale and offered to purchase some for her.
"Staff D came back with the candy and some pajama sets she hadn't asked for," the resident said. She never requested the pajamas and didn't ask for any cash back.
Staff D had convinced the resident to store her wallet and debit card in the facility safe, claiming it would be safer there than in her room. When investigators asked if she had been offered a key to keep valuables at her bedside, the resident replied, "No, but I know that now."
The theft went undetected for months. The resident's conservator, identified as CC1, discovered the missing money and reported it to facility administrators. In an interview on August 1, CC1 said he had retrieved the store receipts showing the cash withdrawals but had not heard any results from the facility's investigation at that point.
Neither the facility's mandatory reporting log nor its grievance log contained any entries about the alleged theft, inspection records show. Staff B, the assistant executive director, and Staff C, the director of nursing services, told investigators on August 5 they were unaware of any concerns regarding the resident and missing money until the complaint was filed.
The facility immediately suspended Staff D, initiated an investigation, and notified police once the allegations came to light. "It was his expectation if staff heard of concerns regarding finances they would be reported," inspection records note about Staff B's statement.
The facility's internal investigation concluded on August 8 with a determination that financial misconduct had occurred. Staff C wrote in the investigation notes: "Based on the investigation, it is strongly suspicious that financial mismanagement of money and the debit card occurred."
Staff D's employment was terminated as a result of the investigation. The facility notified both the resident and her conservator that the stolen funds would be replaced.
The case highlights vulnerabilities in how nursing homes handle residents' personal finances and valuables. Staff D had positioned herself as the safeguard for the resident's money, keeping the wallet and debit card in the facility safe while simultaneously using the card for unauthorized cash withdrawals during routine shopping trips.
The resident's trust in Staff D allowed the scheme to continue undetected. She willingly gave up control of her finances based on Staff D's assurance that the safe was more secure than her room, unaware that this arrangement would enable the theft.
The facility's lack of internal controls became apparent during the investigation. No systems were in place to track or monitor staff access to residents' financial accounts during shopping trips. The missing money was discovered only through the conservator's diligence in reviewing receipts, not through any facility oversight.
State investigators found that Three Rivers Care violated regulations requiring facilities to protect residents from financial exploitation. The violation was classified as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm to few residents.
The resident told investigators she had not been informed about options for securing her valuables in her own room. Nursing homes are required to provide residents with lockable storage or safe deposit arrangements, but many residents remain unaware of these protections.
Staff C confirmed to investigators on August 11 that Staff D's termination was final and that the facility would reimburse the stolen funds. However, the case demonstrates how easily trusted staff members can exploit residents' financial resources when proper safeguards are absent.
The resident now knows she could have kept her valuables secure in her own room, but that knowledge came only after losing $160 to an employee she trusted to protect her money.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Three Rivers Care from 2025-08-14 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
THREE RIVERS CARE in CENTRALIA, WA was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 14, 2025.
The resident remained in the car during both trips and never received the cash or receipts.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.