No contest plea in nursing home neglect

The operator of a San Mateo nursing home pleaded no contest to misdemeanor elder neglect for failing to prevent a fist-sized ulcer and advanced bed sores on the back of an 86-year-old man, causing him extreme pain in the last weeks of his life, according to prosecutors.

Maria Christina Maxima Paredes, 26, changed her plea in return for prosecutors dropping a felony elder charge and seeking no more than time served when she is sentenced Aug. 15.

In filing charges against Paredes, prosecutors argued that although Paredes did not cause the man’s September 2006 death, he should have prevented the physical condition that left his last weeks of life filled with distress at Chateau Sabelle.

The man, whose name is not being released, was brought to Sequoia Hospital Sept. 24 with advanced bed sores and a large ulcer on his lower back the size of a fist. He died a week later of cardiac disease and a Sequoia doctor contacted authorities as mandated by law.

After a year of investigation, Paredes was served with an arrest warrant Dec. 13, 2007 and held in lieu of $150,000 bail since.

Paredes, who is also known as Martha Eugenia, operated Chateau Sabelle, a board and care home located at 2921 Isabelle Ave. in San Mateo. The facility, at which she lives, has six beds, accepts non-ambulatory clients and provides round-the-clock assistance as needed, according to published business descriptions.