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Mark Lauzon’s daughter had concerns about the care he was receiving from paid caregivers. An Adult Protective Services investigation left her with more questions than answers. Photo by Katherine Emery.

‘Just dead ends’: Daughter said investigation into father’s care left her in the dark

Christiana Lauzon answered a call from an unlisted phone number and had a five-minute conversation that she said left her shaking. It was a cold February morning, and the state agency that investigates reports of abuse and neglect of dependent adults had just called to say it was closing its investigation into her father’s care. 

Her father, Mark Lauzon, had relied on caregivers to help him at his home in Augusta, but Christiana Lauzon had discovered it in a state of squalor with rat feces covering her father’s bed. Water from the sink flooded the counters. He had gotten an infection that spread to his bones, requiring his toe to be amputated. 

In the call, the staff member with Adult Protective Services did not say what the investigation found — or whether investigators had found anything at all — and declined to answer her questions. 

“He said, ‘This is a courtesy call. I'm just doing my job,’” Christiana Lauzon said. “I said, ‘You didn't.’”

About a month later, a similar situation played out again when the state agency declined to release records to Christiana Lauzon that she hoped would give her more insight into its investigation. She is now her father’s legal guardian. Yet to this day, she still does not know what Adult Protective Services found in its investigation or understand why the agency opted to keep her in the dark.

With changes to Medicaid eligibility expected to take effect Jan.1, 2027, expired enhanced premium tax credits and increasing health insurance premiums, we’d like to hear from anyone who is worried about their health insurance eligibility or ability to pay their premiums.

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