CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / SAN BERNARDINO
Authorities arrested a woman Friday who they say boarded 22 mentally ill, elderly and other people in prison-like conditions, housing some in converted chicken coops behind razor-wire fences.
Pensri Sophar Dalton, 61, was arrested on 16 counts of suspected elder abuse, according to City Atty. James F. Penman. Some of the people appeared to have mental health issues, he said.
“The stench was pretty horrific,” Penman said. “These were very squalid conditions.”
The people were being held in dilapidated buildings, some without running water or toilets. The facility is not licensed with the state or the city, Penman said.
Police arrested Dalton after going to her home in the 2800 block of North Golden Avenue to arrest a man with outstanding warrants for drunk driving, according to Penman.
Two residents were taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
-- Patrick McDonnell
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