Walnut Creek Assisted Living Facility Worker Charged in Death Of Resident

The following is from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office:

An assisted living worker at Atria Walnut Creek has been charged with a felony complaint in the death of a 94-year-old resident on August 31, 2022.

54-year-old Lateshia Sherise Starling of San Pablo faces one count of elder or dependent adult abuse, resulting in the death of Constantine Albert Canoun [PC368(b)(1)]. The complaint against Ms. Starling states while having care and custody of Mr. Canoun, she “willfully caused and permitted him to be placed in a situation in which his health was endangered and knew and reasonably should have known that (Mr. Canoun) was an elder and dependent adult.”

Mr. Canoun resided in the Memory Care Unit at Atria Walnut Creek and suffered from
dementia. On the night of August 23rd, Mr. Canoun was rushed to John Muir Medical Center
after ingesting all-purpose cleaning solution in a nearby kitchen area. He died on August 31stfrom injuries to his stomach, esophagus, and part of his throat.

Following an investigation by the Walnut Creek Police Department, the incident was referred to
the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on January 24th. After reviewing the referral, charges were filed with Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County. Ms. Starling will be arraigned on January 31st at 1:30 pm in Martinez. She is currently in the Martinez Detention Facility with a bail amount set at $100,000.