Violence repeatedly erupts in dementia care despite warnings, inspections show

Violence repeatedly erupted in dementia care in Banning, California, even after warnings and inspections, according to a state investigative report and grand jury testimony. Over more than four months in 2025, Sunrise Post Acute—a nursing home owned by PACS Group—moved paroled sex offender Sam Ato Timaloa eight times, including pairing him at one point with 92-year-old Attilio Cecchetto. Investigators said Timaloa, 77, had acute intolerance of noise and, after an overnight aide entered their room, Cecchetto was found with blood splattered on the floor, walls and ceiling. A police officer testified Timaloa told him he punched Cecchetto twice. Cecchetto died two days later from blunt force facial trauma. Timaloa pleaded not guilty to assault; prosecutors upgraded charges to murder and the judge ordered a mental health evaluation, with a ruling expected as early as August on his trial competence. PACS Group denied negligence. The case echoes broader studies estimating aggression in dementia units nationwide.