A 44-year-old Cutler Bay woman was arrested after Miami-Dade Police detectives found three post-operative cosmetic surgery patients receiving medical-level care inside her home, where she charged $300 to $450 per night but held no Florida license.
The woman was operating an unlicensed post-surgical recovery facility out of her residence in the 8900 block of Southwest 215th Lane, according to the arrest report cited by WSVN. Detectives executed a search warrant at the home on Thursday, July 30, and found three patients, two employees and the homeowner inside.
The home was set up with four beds and five recliners for recovering patients. Patients told investigators they received help with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene, medications and massages during their stays. The woman also administered blood-thinning injections, according to the arrest report.
She had no Florida license.
She told detectives she was licensed to perform massages in Colombia but not in this state. A records check confirmed she held no Florida license to provide medical or massage services.
The woman was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Jail records show she was released without appearing before a judge. Formal charges have not been announced.
Second unlicensed recovery home shut down in two weeks
The Cutler Bay case is the second unlicensed post-surgery recovery home shut down in Miami-Dade County in less than two weeks. On Friday, July 17, Ilse Johanna Guevara, 49, of Coral Gables surrendered to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Medical Crimes Unit after investigators found six post-operative patients and three employees inside a home at 6174 SW 64th Terrace in South Miami, according to Local 10. Guevara, who faces charges including improper disposal of biohazardous medical waste, charged patients $300 to $350 per night.
Under Florida Statute 429.08, operating an unlicensed assisted living facility is a third-degree felony. Each day of continued operation counts as a separate offense.
How to report a suspected unlicensed facility
Residents who suspect an unlicensed health care or assisted living facility is operating in their neighborhood can call the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration at 1-888-419-3456, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults can also be reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
