HIALEAH, Fla. — A Hialeah woman was arrested Thursday on accusations that she was illegally operating a post-operative recovery house out of her apartment.
According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, an investigator with the Florida Department of Health notified MDSO about the recovery home being operated out of an apartment in the 18000 block of Northwest 68th Avenue, which is owned by Maria Otero.
Detectives responded to the apartment Thursday and spotted Otero entering the unit with a patient who was wearing a black robe and black compression socks, authorities said.
According to the report, detectives had already obtained a search warrant for the property, which they presented to Otero, and then entered the home, where they found two employees.
Detectives said the employees told them they were hired by Otero to provide various “personal services” to patients, including to help them bathe, dress, eat and use the bathroom, and also to give them medication and provide transportation.
According to the report, there were three patients present at the home when detectives searched the residence.
Each said they had been charged between $250 and $300 per night for the personal care and lodging they received during their recovery, authorities said.
Detectives said Otero told them she normally lives at the apartment, but recently moved out to another location she just leased.
Detectives confirmed they did not find any of Otero’s personal belongings in the apartment.
According to the report, a DOH investigator issued Otero a notice to cease and desist.
Detectives, meanwhile, arrested her on a charge of operating an assisted living facility without a license.
As of Friday morning, Otero was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $2,500 bond.
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