Facility Alert: Assisted Living Facility Abuse Arrests in Lake City, Florida

Two assisted living facility employees were arrested on elder abuse charges after security footage allegedly captured physical abuse of an elderly resident.

According to Lake City police, Ta’naiya Gallon (26) and Toni Owens (23) were arrested and charged with battery of a person 65 years of age or older following an investigation at The Canopy, an assisted living facility located in Lake City, Florida.

Assisted Living Facility Abuse in Florida

Police reports indicate officers were called to the facility following a reported battery. During the investigation, law enforcement reviewed facility security footage, which allegedly showed two staff members using force against an elderly resident.

The alleged incidents included:

• Pushing the resident to the floor, and

• Physically restraining the resident on a couch.

  
  

Investigators described these as separate incidents involving the same resident.

Criminal Charges Are Only Part of the Picture

While arrests are an important step, criminal charges alone do not answer the most critical questions families often have, such as:

• How long was the abuse happening?

• Were there prior complaints or warning signs?

• Was staff properly trained and supervised?

• Did the facility fail to intervene or report earlier incidents?

  
  

In many Florida assisted living abuse cases, systemic facility failures, not just individual misconduct, play a central role.

Assisted Living Facilities Have Legal Duties to Protect Residents from Abuse and Neglect

Under Florida law, assisted living facilities are required to protect residents’ rights and safety. The Florida Assisted Living Resident Bill of Rights, codified at Florida Statutes § 429.28, guarantees that residents have the right to live free from abuse and neglect and to be treated with dignity, respect, and personal safety.

Consistent with § 429.28, assisted living facilities have a legal duty to:

• Protect residents from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment

• Properly train, supervise, and monitor staff

• Investigate and report suspected abuse

• Ensure residents are treated with dignity, respect, and personal safety

• Prevent retaliation against residents who report abuse or exercise their rights

When these duties are breached, the facility itself—not just individual employees—may be held civilly liable, separate and apart from any criminal case.

Warning Signs of Assisted Living Facility Abuse

This story highlights red flags families should never ignore, including:

• Unexplained bruises, falls, or injuries

• Sudden fear, agitation, or personality changes

• Staff discouraging visits or limiting access

• Inconsistent or vague explanations for injuries

• A resident becoming withdrawn or unusually compliant

If something feels off, it usually is.

What to Do If You Suspect Assisted Living Abuse in Florida

If you believe your loved one may be experiencing abuse or neglect in an assisted living facility, taking the right steps early can make a critical difference.

• Step 1: Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If your loved one is injured or in distress, ensure they receive prompt medical care. Ask healthcare providers to document all injuries and observations in detail.

  
  

• Step 2: Say Something. Report the Incident: Report the abuse or neglect to the facility and the appropriate state authorities. Abuse should never be handled quietly or ignored.

  
  

• Step 3: Photograph Injuries and the Location: Gather as much evidence as possible. Take photographs of injuries, the resident’s living area, and the location where the incident occurred.

  
  

• Step 4: Begin Gathering Medical Records: Request medical records, incident reports, care logs, and any available documentation. These records are often critical in understanding what happened and when.

  
  

• Step 5: Contact FIDJ: Facilities and staff should be held accountable for pain and suffering they cause. Our firm can assist with investigating the abuse, preserving evidence, and determining whether legal action is appropriate.

FIDJ Holds Assisted Living Facilities Accountable

At FIDJ, we hold Florida assisted living facilities accountable when residents are abused, neglected, or harmed due to staffing failures, lack of supervision or oversight, or violations of resident rights. We investigate what went wrong, identify violations of Florida law, and seek accountability when facilities fail to meet their legal obligations.

If your loved one was abused or injured in a Florida assisted living facility, contact the attorneys at FIDJ for a free, confidential, no-pressure case review.