WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — An adult care facility in Salt Lake County is facing scrutiny following a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of three disabled men from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities report that a staff member left the men unattended in a running vehicle, prompting investigations from multiple agencies.
On Saturday, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency action notice concerning Safe and Sound Services, LLC, which operates the facility. This incident has drawn attention to the care provided to vulnerable individuals and raised concerns about practices in the organization.
“I think most people would assume that no one would leave individuals in such a dangerous situation,” said Nate Crippes from the Disability Law Center. “It’s heartbreaking for the families involved. This is an incredibly sad event.” Crippes’ organization has joined others in assessing the circumstances surrounding the distressing incident.
According to a probable cause statement, Isaiah Pulu, 25, left the three men—Colton Moser, 25, Mosa’ati Moa, 22, and Tim Jones, 39—in his garage while he went inside his apartment for over three hours. Upon returning, he discovered the men unconscious in the vehicle.
Following the incident, the Department of Health and Human Services imposed restrictions on Safe and Sound Services, halting new admissions and increasing oversight. The facility must now comply with state inspections, retrain its staff on safe client transportation, and improve supervision measures over clients. These restrictions are set to last for 30 days, but could impact the facility’s operations beyond that if further issues are uncovered.
The company’s website has been taken offline and currently displays a message indicating that it is “under maintenance.” In the wake of the incident, Crippes and his organization announced plans to conduct an independent investigation to ensure that proper measures are in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“The facility should be under strict scrutiny moving forward,” Crippes emphasized. “We are committed to uncovering what happened and advocating for better safety practices.”
According to the state’s notice, Safe and Sound Services has until Wednesday to appeal the emergency action if they choose to contest the measures taken against them. As of Monday evening, officials reported that no appeal had been filed.
This tragic event has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of adult care facilities and the need for robust oversight to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals. The investigations aim to provide clarity on the incident and to establish standards for better care in the future.