LAFAYETTE, LA — A Lafayette nursing home faces a lawsuit alleging elder abuse after two workers were accused of physically and verbally assaulting an elderly dementia patient, according to multiple news reports. The case came to light in November 2023 when law enforcement discovered video evidence during an unrelated murder investigation.
Katherine Verdugo's family filed the lawsuit in December against Maison de Lafayette on Kaliste Saloom Road, along with two former workers, according to The Advocate. The legal action alleges that Christal Howard, 34, of Franklin, and Dontrielle Harris, 33, of Lafayette Parish, posed as certified nursing assistants while working at the facility and subjected the victim to verbal assault, physical assault, and terrorization.
According to court documents reported by Yahoo News, the abuse included raising the victim's gown and exposing her genitalia in what the lawsuit characterizes as a manner of sexual assault. The video evidence was discovered on the phone of a murder victim who was the boyfriend of one of the accused workers, as reported by KPEL 96.5.
Patricia Verdugo and her sister were contacted by a Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office detective in November 2023 to view the disturbing footage of their mother being mistreated at the facility, according to multiple outlets. The discovery led to criminal charges and civil litigation.
Howard has been charged with simple assault, cruelty to the infirmed, simple battery of the infirm, and hate crimes, according to law enforcement records. Harris faces charges of cruelty to the infirmed and two counts of non-consensual disclosure of a private image, though she remained at large as of recent reports.
The lawsuit alleges that Maison de Lafayette failed to conduct routine background checks that would have revealed neither Howard nor Harris possessed the required credentials or licenses to work as certified nursing assistants, according to The Advocate. Federal regulations require nursing homes to verify professional credentials and conduct background checks on all employees who provide direct care to residents.
Following the discovery of the abuse, the family installed cameras in Katherine Verdugo's room to monitor her care going forward, according to K945.
CMS Inspection History
Maison de Lafayette currently holds a 2-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, placing it in the below-average category for nursing home quality. The facility has received 2 stars for health inspections, 2 stars for staffing, and 2 stars for quality measures, according to CMS data.
The 189-bed facility has accumulated 79 total deficiencies across 22 inspections on record with CMS. The most recent federal inspection occurred on August 13, 2025, identifying five deficiencies related to resident rights and assessment procedures.
Inspectors cited the facility for failing to honor residents' right to self-determination through support of resident choice, as well as deficiencies in properly holding and managing residents' personal money deposited with the nursing home. Additional violations included failure to establish adequate grievance policies and failure to conduct complete and accurate resident assessments in a timely manner.
The facility's history of regulatory compliance issues predates the alleged abuse incident. Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain adequate staffing levels, verify employee credentials, and implement policies to protect residents from abuse and neglect.
Ownership & Operations
Maison de Lafayette operates as a for-profit limited liability company, according to CMS ownership records. The facility's corporate structure places responsibility for compliance with state and federal regulations, including employee screening and verification requirements, on the ownership entity.
Federal law mandates that nursing homes conduct criminal background checks on all prospective employees and verify professional licenses before allowing staff to provide direct care to residents. The alleged failure to verify CNA credentials represents a potential violation of these requirements.
Resources for Families
Families with concerns about care quality or suspected abuse at Louisiana nursing homes can contact the Louisiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-800-259-4990. The ombudsman program provides free, confidential assistance to residents and families navigating issues with long-term care facilities.
The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center can be reached at 1-800-677-1116, and additional resources are available at https://ltcombudsman.org.
Louisiana law requires nursing homes to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to state authorities within 24 hours. Residents and family members can also file complaints directly with the Louisiana Department of Health, which conducts inspections and investigates allegations of substandard care.
Criminal abuse allegations should be reported immediately to local law enforcement. Families may also wish to consult with an attorney specializing in elder law to understand their legal options for addressing harm caused by nursing home negligence or abuse.
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