Family members claim wrongdoing in deaths at state-run facility

Minerva Cordova, 49, died in February 2012. According to her sister, Anna Guerrero, she was the victim of negligence from the El Paso State Supported Living Center (SSLC).

The center, which is run by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, lately has come under fire.

Sylvia Burgos of No Voice/No Justice has spearheaded efforts to convince administrators to resign. Burgos told ABC-7 she served as a nurse at the center until she was fired.

“I reported abuse, and instead of investigating, they fired me instead,” said Burgos.

No Voice/No Justice reported that 12 people have died at the El Paso SSLC dating back to May 2010. Some of those deaths, including that of Minerva Cordova, have been questioned by family members, former employees, and activists.

State Senator Jose Rodriguez, who represents the district in which the center resides, held a meeting with family members of patients of the El Paso SSLC two weeks ago. According to Rodriguez, he heard from multiple people who tell him issues at the center exist.

“It concerns me that it has gotten to this point,” said Rodriguez. “I can understand the frustration, I heard about the concerns of no follow-up from the center, but those complaints are now being looked at.”

State agencies declined to tell ABC-7 whether any investigations are open at this time. A public information officer with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which investigates claims of wrongdoing, told ABC-7 that investigations are confidential.

Rodriguez, however, said the agency does have several open investigations, adding that the Office of the Inspector General is also investigating claims of negligence and abuse.

Anna Guerrero, whose sister died five months ago, has yet to hear from investigators. Guerrero said she has spoken with investigators previously, but when she calls and asks now, she’s told there is no further information that can be shared with her.