Autumn Lake Catonsville: Vermin Droppings Found - MD
The August inspection revealed a facility struggling with basic sanitation despite months of warnings from its pest management company. Inspectors documented rodent droppings in five separate areas, along with food debris, broken tiles holding dirty water, and equipment repairs left undone for months.
The problems weren't new. Pest control records showed the company had repeatedly flagged the same issues since February, with little action from facility management.
On July 25, the pest management company noted that holes in the kitchen walls still needed sealing. The same report documented broken tiles "holding dirty water in breakage under the floor" that "attracts roaches to the area." Staff had ignored these recommendations for months.
The company's frustration showed in increasingly direct language. By July 24, inspectors wrote that "poor sanitation throughout the kitchen and dish room area were observed" and warned that "due to sanitation conditions, this can create and attract roaches."
When federal inspectors toured the facility on August 14, they found the warnings had been prescient.
In the ice machine room, a hole where plumbing entered the wall was stuffed with steel wool rather than properly sealed. A wet, dirty towel sat under the ice machine alongside debris, cup lids, and a face mask scattered on the floor.
The kitchen presented a catalog of sanitation failures.
Inspectors found vermin droppings under the dishwasher, mixed with a pitcher lid, a bowl, wrapper pieces, and other debris. Under a sink next to the drain, they discovered a French fry, wrappers, and more debris. No French fries were being prepared during the inspection.
More droppings appeared under a stainless steel preparation table next to the oven. The center preparation tables had water pooled underneath them, with one harboring a piece of cut banana despite no banana preparation occurring during the visit.
The basement laundry area showed similar neglect. Multiple wall corners had rusted, broken metal trim with holes. Broken tile sections dotted the floor. A bucket sat collecting drips from a leaking sink, with more broken tiles underneath.
The clean laundry room offered little improvement. Inspectors found a chain of lint along the wall, and behind a linen cart discovered a dried brown spill, bottle cap, wrapper, and a shoe.
Even the rehabilitation department, where residents work to regain strength and mobility, wasn't spared. Vermin droppings lined the entrance wall. Higher up, inspectors spotted a pistachio nut. Debris, a plastic cap, and a ball cluttered the area under the air conditioning unit.
The pest management company's treatment reports revealed a pattern of ignored recommendations spanning months. The company had flagged kitchen voids in February, July 16, and July 25. Each time, they noted the same problems persisting.
Sanitation recommendations appeared with similar repetition. The company advised "improving sanitation procedures" on May 29, July 16, and July 24. Each report documented the same poor conditions continuing.
The facility's failure to address these basic maintenance and cleanliness issues created an environment where vermin could thrive throughout areas where residents live, eat, and receive care.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm, affecting some residents. The widespread nature of the sanitation problems, however, touched nearly every area residents would encounter during their stay.
The inspection occurred in response to a complaint, suggesting someone inside or connected to the facility felt compelled to alert authorities about conditions that management had failed to address despite months of professional warnings.
The contrast between the facility's mission and reality was stark. While Autumn Lake Healthcare at Catonsville markets itself as providing care and rehabilitation services, inspectors found an environment where basic sanitation had deteriorated to the point that vermin droppings appeared in spaces from boardrooms to therapy areas.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Autumn Lake Healthcare At Catonsville from 2025-08-18 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
AUTUMN LAKE HEALTHCARE AT CATONSVILLE in CATONSVILLE, MD was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 18, 2025.
The August inspection revealed a facility struggling with basic sanitation despite months of warnings from its pest management company.
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.