The owner of a San Diego residential care facility who is facing elder abuse charges for the alleged neglect of senior citizens staying at her facility was in court on Wednesday.

Maria Erolina Delgado, 62, who owns J & M Happy Guest Home, is accused of leaving the facility “severely understaffed,” resulting in multiple residents suffering from bedsores, dehydration and malnourishment. The California Attorney General’s Office also alleged some residents were left in soiled diapers for days at a time.

Delgado, who is out of jail on a $100,000 bail, appeared in court for her arraignment on Wednesday. She pleaded not guilty to all charges and was told that a condition of her bail is that she is unable to care for any elderly or dependent adults she is not related to at her home or at any long-term nursing facility. 

The criminal complaint, filed earlier this month, charges her with two felony and two misdemeanor counts of elder abuse involving four different residents, including Marcia Braun. 

NBC 7 spoke with Braun’s son, Andrew Braun. He explained that his mother went to stay in the home in 2020 after being diagnosed with dementia. He had been her caretaker for some time, but when it grew too difficult, he found J & M. 

“The care seemed to be good,” Andrew said. “She seemed to be all right, you know? There was one incident she got a black eye. I think they told me she was getting up, wandering and slipped on the tile floor.” 

A photo of Marcia Braun, one of the victims named in the criminal complaint. The photo was shared by her son, Andrew Braun.

Andrew told NBC 7 he had visited the home while his mom was there

“They have everybody set up in a room,” Andrew said. “It’s usually one person per room — might have been two depending on what they were doing. They fed them, they cleaned them, they were pretty much bedridden though, you know?”

Andrew was unaware of the charges but said he was “not surprised,” in general, and that you have to “believe everybody” is doing the right thing. Marcia has since moved out and is now being cared for at a facility in Vista, her son said. 

“Our elders deserve care that is safe, dignified and consistently held to the highest standards,” state Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. “When those entrusted with the care of elderly residents fail to live up to these standards and put Californians in harm’s way, we take action.”

All the conduct at J & M Happy Guest Home allegedly occurred in 2020, according to the complaint. Delgado faces two felony charges; both carry maximum sentences of four years in prison; and two misdemeanor charges, with a maximum of six months each.