Executive Summary
- A lawsuit alleges Northglenn Heights staff left a resident on the floor for hours after falls.
- Attorneys claim video evidence contradicts facility care records.
- Current management states they were not operating the facility during the 2024 incidents.
- The District Attorney’s Office is reviewing a request to consider criminal charges.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Adams County District Court alleges that staff at a Northglenn assisted living facility failed to provide adequate care to a 77-year-old resident, leaving her unattended on the floor for hours following falls which ultimately contributed to her death.
The civil complaint names Tarantino Properties, the former management company, and HMP Senior Solutions, the current operator of Northglenn Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care Community. The filing asserts claims of wrongful death, negligence, and medical malpractice regarding the care of Kathleen Griffin, who was admitted to the facility in January 2024.
According to attorneys representing Griffin’s family, the resident was identified as a patient with a high risk of falling, a designation that required in-person welfare checks every two hours. However, attorney Jason Jordan stated that video footage contradicts facility records, allegedly showing Griffin lying on the floor for periods ranging from three to nearly seven hours on multiple occasions.
“They are literally just falsifying records saying that they are complying with their care plan, but they didn’t know there was cameras in there that we can show they were not,” Jordan said. The lawsuit claims these lapses led to Griffin’s hospitalization for traumatic rhabdomyolysis and severe dehydration, resulting in her subsequent death.
In a statement, HMP Senior Solutions clarified that it assumed operations in April 2025, approximately one year after the alleged incidents occurred. The company noted that the employees referenced in the complaint are no longer employed at the facility and that the new management team has implemented updated operational policies to ensure compliance with Colorado regulations. Tarantino Properties did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In addition to the civil litigation, attorneys for the Griffin family have formally requested that District Attorney Brian Mason consider criminal charges. A spokesperson for the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office confirmed receipt of the correspondence, stating that the office is reviewing the matter. The spokesperson noted that while the office generally does not prosecute facilities, it does review evidence regarding alleged criminal wrongdoing or neglect by individuals.
Regulatory and Legal Oversight
This case highlights the distinct separation between civil liability and criminal accountability in the elder care sector. While civil lawsuits aim to address alleged malpractice and secure compensation for damages, criminal prosecution typically requires a higher burden of proof and focuses on individual culpability rather than institutional oversight. The regulation of assisted living facilities falls primarily under state agencies, which handle licensing and compliance standards. As the District Attorney reviews the allegations for potential criminal elements, it is important to note that all individuals and entities are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
