Another Arrest as Investigations Continue into Illegal Care Homes in Spring, TX

SPRING, TX -- On July 25th, MCFMO Deputy Fire Marshals responded to a complaint of unsafe living conditions at an unlicensed care home in the 200 block of Spring Pines Drive in southern Montgomery County. Upon their arrival they identified not one, but two unlicensed care homes with numerous bedridden residents living in each. Neither of the homes were licensed as required by state law and they did not meet fire and life safety requirements.

The homes operator, Jeffrey Canales, was the subject of a previous investigation in January of this year. During that investigation he was issued a Fire Marshal’s Order to correct safety violations and obtain a state license for a similar illegal care home he was operating at another location.

Working with our partners at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and Texas Health and Human Services, MCFMO Deputy Fire Marshals determined that Canales was operating the homes in violation of both State Law and the County Fire Code. Jeffrey Canales was arrested and charged with operating a nursing or personal care facility without a license in violation of Texas Health and Safety Code § 247.0441, a Class A Misdemeanor for each location.

Unsafe and often abusive unlicensed Care Homes Are 'Hidden In Plain Sight'

This arrest follows on the heels of a similar investigation of an illegal care home in the City of Panorama Village and others across Montgomery County that follow a recurring theme. As in this investigation, many of the illegal care homes are being operated out of rental homes in residential neighborhoods. Investigators have found as many as 10 residents in some rental homes, sometimes sleeping in converted lofts and even in a garage. These residents vary in mobility and disabilities, often bedridden or requiring assistance to walk. In addition to not meeting the basic fire and life safety requirements needed to protect the residents, there are often complaints of financial fraud, neglect and even abuse associated with these illegal care homes.

With our aging population and proximity to the Houston Metroplex, Montgomery County has seen an increase in the number of unsafe, unlicensed care homes in recent years. Nationwide, media reports and studies highlight an increasing number of “secret” facilities operating in ordinary houses, sometimes packing multiple seniors into single rooms, converted garages, or sheds without proper medical infrastructure and safety practices.

The MCFMO is committed to working with our State and local partners to protect our senior and disabled citizens from those who would seek to take advantage of them. Residents and family members can verify that a care home is properly licensed by going to the HHS website.

https://tulip.hhs.texas.gov/TULIP/s/ltc-provider-search