Inspection Reports for Desert Cottages I
83617 Himalaya Drive Indio, CA 92203, CA, 92203
Back to Facility ProfileInspection Report Summary
Most inspections found no deficiencies, with routine health and safety checks consistently showing no immediate concerns. The most recent report from October 30, 2025, was clean with no deficiencies noted. Earlier reports included a single minor issue in October 2025 involving a toilet tank in disrepair, which was planned to be fixed promptly. A substantiated deficiency occurred in April 2022 when a staff member worked without proper criminal record exemption clearance, representing a regulatory violation but no enforcement actions or fines were listed. Since then, the facility’s record has improved, with no serious issues or enforcement actions reported.
Deficiencies (last 4 years)
Deficiencies (over 4 years)
0.8 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
80% better than California average
California average: 4 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
4
3
2
1
0
Census
Latest occupancy rate
83% occupied
Based on a October 2025 inspection.
This facility has shown a steady increase in demand based on occupancy rates.
Census over time
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 30, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to perform a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, no immediate health or safety concerns were observed at the time of the visit.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Anthony Perez | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 24, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to perform a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, no immediate health or safety concerns were observed at the time of the visit.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee / Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Anthony Perez | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Census: 6
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 16, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to perform a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, no immediate health or safety concerns were observed. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to Caregiver Rhonda Wilts.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Rhonda Wilts | Caregiver | Met with the Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator/Director | Named as facility administrator/director. |
Inspection Report
Census: 6
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 1
Oct 10, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to perform a health and safety check.
Findings
No immediate health or safety concerns were observed at the time of the visit. However, the toilet tank in the master bedroom was noted to be in disrepair, with maintenance planned to address the issue by the end of the weekend.
Deficiencies (1)
| Description |
|---|
| Toilet tank in the master bedroom was in disrepair. |
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the visit and named in relation to the toilet tank deficiency. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 3, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility for a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, the facility was toured and no immediate health and safety concerns were observed. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to the licensee.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee / Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the inspection and named in the report. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and signed the report. |
| Anthony Perez | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Sep 26, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility for a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, the facility was toured and no immediate health and safety concerns were observed. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to the licensee.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator/Director | Licensee who joined the visit and received the report. |
| Claudia Martinez | Caregiver | Met with the Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Sep 16, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility for a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, the facility was toured and no immediate health and safety concerns were observed. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to the licensee Elizabeth Hengstler.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee / Administrator | Met with during the inspection and named in the report. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit. |
| Anthony Perez | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Sep 8, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility for a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, the analyst toured the facility, conducted interviews and records review, and found no immediate health and safety concerns.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Rhonda Wilts | Caregiver | Met with the Licensing Program Analyst during the visit. |
Inspection Report
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Sep 4, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Abdoulaye Zerbo conducted an unannounced visit to the facility for a health and safety check.
Findings
During the visit, the facility was toured and no immediate health and safety concerns were observed. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report was provided to the licensee.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee / Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the inspection visit. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the unannounced visit and inspection. |
| Anthony Perez | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report. |
Inspection Report
Census: 6
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 30, 2025
Visit Reason
The visit was an unannounced case management visit conducted to perform a health and safety check of the facility.
Findings
No health and safety concerns were observed during the visit, and no citations were issued.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee/Administrator | Met with during the inspection and informed of the purpose of the visit. |
| Armando Perez | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the case management visit. |
| Claudia Martinez | Caregiver | Greeted and granted entry to the Licensing Program Analyst. |
Inspection Report
Census: 6
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 27, 2025
Visit Reason
The visit was an unannounced case management visit to deliver an Immediate Exclusion order for staff member Destiny Villalta.
Findings
During the visit, Licensing Program Analysts toured the facility with the Licensee/Administrator and delivered the Immediate Exclusion order. No citations or deficiencies were issued during the visit.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee/Administrator | Informed of the purpose of the visit and received the Immediate Exclusion order. |
| Rhonda Wilts | Caregiver | Greeted Licensing Program Analysts and was informed of the purpose of the visit. |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the case management visit. |
| Armando Perez | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the case management visit. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 21, 2025
Visit Reason
The Licensing Program Analyst conducted an unannounced case management visit to check on the health, safety, and welfare of residents in care regarding a complaint report received on 2024-12-03.
Findings
No deficiencies were cited and no civil penalties were issued. The food supply met regulatory requirements and no immediate health or safety concerns were observed for residents in care.
Complaint Details
The visit was triggered by a complaint report received on 2024-12-03. No deficiencies or violations were found during the investigation.
Report Facts
Staff on duty: 3
Food supply regulatory requirements: 7
Food supply regulatory requirements: 2
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Destiny Villalta | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst during the visit |
| Seo Jeon | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection visit |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 4
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 4, 2025
Visit Reason
An unannounced required annual inspection was conducted to evaluate the facility's compliance with licensing requirements.
Findings
The facility was found to be clean, well-maintained, and in compliance with infection control, physical plant, medication management, and disaster preparedness requirements. No deficiencies were cited during the visit.
Report Facts
Fire extinguisher expiration date: 2026
Water temperature: 111.2
Administrator certificate expiration date: 2026
CPR certification expiration date: 2027
Emergency drill date: 2025
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Destiny Villata | Administrator | Greeted Licensing Program Analyst and participated in exit interview |
| Abdoulaye Zerbo | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection visit |
| Rikesha Stamps | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on report |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 4
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Jul 8, 2025
Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analysts conducted an unannounced Case Management visit regarding a complaint report #18-AS-20241203155436.
Findings
No health and safety concerns were observed during the visit, and no deficiencies were cited according to California Health & Safety Code and Code of Regulations, Title 22.
Complaint Details
The visit was conducted in response to a complaint report #18-AS-20241203155436. No deficiencies were found and no health or safety concerns were observed.
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Destiny Villalta | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analysts during the inspection. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 6
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 7, 2024
Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced complaint investigation visit conducted in response to an allegation that staff did not provide comfortable accommodations to a resident in care.
Findings
The investigation found that although one resident reported their room was always hot and staff provided a fan, other residents denied discomfort and the facility temperature was observed at 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Staff interviews confirmed accommodations were provided when residents reported being hot or cold. The allegation was unsubstantiated due to lack of preponderance of evidence.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleged that staff did not provide comfortable accommodations to a resident in care. The investigation was unsubstantiated.
Report Facts
Capacity: 6
Census: 6
Thermostat setting: 83
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Sara Martinez | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the complaint investigation |
| Tricia Danielson | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report |
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator | Facility Administrator |
| Destiny Villalta | Administrator | Met with during the investigation |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 21, 2024
Visit Reason
An unannounced one (1) year required visit was conducted to evaluate the facility's compliance with licensing requirements.
Findings
No immediate violations or concerns were observed during the visit. The facility met all required standards including safety, staffing, and physical plant conditions.
Report Facts
Staff present: 2
Resident bedrooms: 4
Staff bedroom: 1
Bathrooms: 4
Perishable food supply: 2
Non-perishable food supply: 7
Water temperature: 111.3
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator | Facility Administrator present during the inspection |
| Valerie Flores | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection |
| Rikesha Stamps | Licensing Program Manager | Supervising Licensing Program Manager |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 4
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 1
Aug 7, 2023
Visit Reason
The Licensing Program Analyst conducted an unannounced annual inspection to evaluate the facility's compliance with regulatory requirements.
Findings
The facility was found to be clean, well-maintained, and in compliance with regulations. No deficiencies were observed, but a technical violation was issued due to one staff member lacking current CPR certification.
Deficiencies (1)
| Description |
|---|
| Staff member does not have a current CPR certification card. |
Report Facts
Fire alarms observed: 7
Carbon monoxide detectors observed: 1
Fire extinguishers on site: 1
Food supply nonperishable: 1
Food supply perishable: 2
Water temperature: 105
Facility temperature: 75
Staff reviewed: 4
Client records reviewed: 4
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator | Administrator conducted the facility tour and was involved in the exit interview; named in relation to staff CPR certification issue |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 0
Aug 30, 2022
Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced annual inspection limited to infection control conducted by Licensing Program Analyst Crystal Colvin.
Findings
The facility was found to be successfully incorporating several aspects of its COVID-19 Mitigation Plan, including availability of hand sanitizer and PPE supplies. However, paper towels were missing in bathrooms and staff other than administrators had not been fit tested for N95 masks. Technical Assistance Advisory Notes were issued for these issues, but no deficiencies were cited due to the absence of COVID-19 positive residents.
Report Facts
Capacity: 6
Census: 5
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Administrator | Met with Licensing Program Analyst and involved in infection control discussion |
| Crystal Colvin | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection and issued Technical Assistance Advisory Notes |
| Joel Esquivel | Licensing Program Manager | Named as Licensing Program Manager on the report |
| Liberty Almazon | Mentioned in relation to staff training on COVID-19 infection control |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 5
Capacity: 6
Deficiencies: 1
Apr 6, 2022
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate a complaint #18-AS-20220330113756 regarding staff clearance and exemption transfer compliance.
Findings
The inspection found that a staff member (S1) was present and working at the facility without the required criminal record exemption transfer, which is a violation of licensing regulations and poses an immediate safety risk to residents.
Complaint Details
Complaint #18-AS-20220330113756 triggered the investigation. The deficiency was substantiated as the staff member lacked proper exemption transfer clearance.
Severity Breakdown
Type A: 1
Deficiencies (1)
| Description | Severity |
|---|---|
| Staff member (S1) working at the facility without an approved criminal record exemption transfer, with incorrect ID number on the form. | Type A |
Report Facts
Civil penalty amount: 500
Staff employment start date: 2020
Census: 5
Total capacity: 6
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Hengstler | Licensee/Administrator | Facility administrator involved in the exit interview and review of deficiencies. |
| Crystal Colvin | Licensing Program Analyst | Conducted the inspection and identified the deficiency. |
| Joel Esquivel | Licensing Program Manager | Supervisor overseeing the inspection. |
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