Sheriff: Florida couple allegedly ran several unlicensed assisted living facilities in Osceola, Polk counties
Couple allegedly ran illegal assisted living facilities
A Florida couple, Marie Tarah Carenan and Ronald Pack allegedly ran nine unlicensed assisted living facilities in Osceola and Polk counties.Detectives alleged serious safety issues at some of the facilities, including a lack of licensed nurses, and locks on doors, windows, and refrigerators.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida couple has been arrested on several charges for allegedly operating multiple unlicensed assisted living facilities in Osceola and Polk counties, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Marie Tarah Carenan, 56, and her husband, Ronald Pack, 60, were arrested on Wednesday and booked into jail under suspicion of elder abuse, elder neglect, elder exploitation, aggravated elder abuse, scheme to defraud, and welfare fraud, Osceola Sheriff Christopher Blackmon revealed during a news conference.
He said neither Carenan nor Pack have licenses to operate assisted living facilities in Osceola or Polk counties.
Ronald Pack, 60, and his wife, Marie Tarah Carenan, 56, were arrested on Wednesday and booked into jail under suspicion of elder abuse, elder neglect, elder exploitation, aggravated elder abuse, scheme to defraud, and welfare fraud.
Sheriff: Husband and wife allegedly ran nine illegal assisted living facilities
What we know:
Oceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said the investigation began more than a year ago after a deputy responded to a 911 call at one of the facilities.
According to the investigation, Carenan and Pack are accused of operating nine assisted living facilities out of homes – some owned, most rented – in Osceola and Polk counties, he said.
Osceola Sheriff update: Unlicensed care facilities busted | FULL
A Florida couple has been arrested on several charges for allegedly operating multiple unlicensed assisted living facilities in Osceola and Polk counties, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
Three have since closed, he said, but six remained active. Deputies searched three homes on Wednesday morning: Carenan's and Pack's home, and two facilities, he said.
One home had nine residents and one caregiver. The second home had eight residents and one caregiver, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said some residents were bedridden and that there was no licensed nurse in sight at both facilities.
Sheriff: Over 300 calls for service
Sheriff Blackmon said since 2024, his office has received 300 calls for service at the Osceola County facilities.
Safety concerns brought up
Sheriff Blackmon said safety concerns were also brought up during the investigation.
According to the sheriff's office, one deputy noted locks on windows and doors, the refrigerator, and food storage cabinets at one facility. Detectives also noted that the facilities lacked lifesaving equipment, fire extinguishers or licensed nurses.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from a June 24, 2026, press conference with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office.