Brian Woodring, the former owner of an adult foster home in Clackamas County, Oregon, is headed to prison after admitting to neglect and theft in connection with Medicaid recipients. In a case that highlights the darker side of foster care, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced Woodring's guilty plea, where he owned up to felony charges, including Criminal Mistreatment and Aggravated Theft, reported the Oregon Department of Justice.
Under a plea agreement, Woodring will spend 58 months in state prison, followed by 36 months post-prison supervision. He is also obliged to pay restitution and will be prohibited from working as a caregiver or operating an AFH. Despite being paid by Medicaid to run a licensed home, authorities found that the Clackamas property meant for the foster home was vacant. Woodring had unlawfully housed residents in his own home in Aumsville, which was neither authorized nor suitable for providing care, a fact that led to the neglect and suffering of his wards.
The case brought to light the plight of two residents in particular. One individual, according to the Oregon Department of Justice, tragically died from untreated metastatic cancer, their disease undetected because Woodring failed "to seek timely medical care and failure to administer prescribed medications." Another resident endured prolonged neglect, missing out on crucial care for chronic disease and dental attention, leaving them with serious injuries attributed to embedded dentures.
During the period of neglect, Woodring filled Medicaid's coffers with fake claims, billing the program for thousands of dollars for non-existent care. His crimes weren't just against the individuals in his charge. He also flouted licensing regulations by operating the AFH illegally from his residence. The investigation into these violations was the collaborative effort of the state's Medicaid Fraud Unit, the Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services, and the local sheriff's office. Attorney General Rayfield, reflecting on the case, stressed the importance of diligence in oversight and enforcement for long-term care, "This case is a tragic reminder of why oversight, enforcement, and accountability matter in long-term care," he stated, per the Oregon Department of Justice.
