ARLINGTON, Texas — New information is coming to light in the case of an Arlington boarding home operator accused of endangering its disabled tenants.
Authorities charged the 49-year-old suspect, Regla “Su” Becquer, with abandoning or endangering an individual and causing imminent danger of bodily injury.
Becquer, the owner of Love and Caring for People LLC, had her relatives as caretakers in several homes, police say.
Darrell Tennison is listed as a member of Love and Caring for People LLC.
In an interview with WFAA Tuesday, Tennison said he helped Becquer start the LLC, opened a bank account, and put some of his own money into it. He said he co-signed on a truck for Becquer, but has no idea where the truck is now.
When asked what he knew about the allegations against Becquer, Tennison said he had no idea what was allegedly happening in the homes. He was shocked to learn Becquer had been arrested.
“I thought it was gonna be a group home, but it turned out it wasn’t a group home,” Tennison said. “I think she was just keeping the people, you know? It wasn’t a group home like I expected.”
Group homes are regulated in the state of Texas, however, unlicensed community homes, also known as bed and board homes, are not regulated by the state. Local municipalities can adopt local ordinances to regulate board homes.
An arrest warrant for Becquer outlines at least one client’s detailed accusations of abuse and neglect at one of Becquer's homes along Woodbrook St. in Arlington.
The woman, immobilized by cerebral palsy, told police she cut her own wrists out of desperation to get to the hospital. The client told police she slept on a mattress, covered in her own feces. She accused those who were supposed to care for her of pouring water over her head and making it difficult for her to breathe. The client texted a friend and said she was being held against her will in the home, and she told police she was given a minty unprescribed medication to prevent her from escaping.
Tennison told WFAA he knew nothing about the accusations against Becquer or the alleged abuse in the homes.
“I can’t say nothing to it. I’m tied to it, I never really even thought about it anymore,” Tennison said.
Tennison said Becquer cared for his bed-ridden wife at a separate care facility prior to creating the LLC.
“I don’t know what to say. I guess they’ll be coming after my (expletive) next, and I aint done a thing. I got a dime from that place,” Tennison said.
Salomon Rivas, a neighbor who lives across the street from one of the homes Becquer operated, told WFAA he once called 911 after finding a woman crying for help in his front yard at night.
“She said they had her tied up, and that they tortured her,” Rivas said in Spanish.
Rivas stayed with the woman until first responders took her away.
Another neighbor, Steve Fisher, who agreed to be named but asked not to show his face, told WFAA he found a man in the backyard calling for help. Fisher said the man came from the house next door, which was the home Becquer operated out of.
“He looked paper thin,” Fisher said. “I told him I’d get someone from the house to come and help him. He told me ‘No, absolutely do not do that… call 911, I’m trying to escape.’”
Investigators say Becquer kept clients in her homes isolated from family, committed credit card fraud, and kept property that belonged to her deceased clients, such as property.
According to the affidavit, hospitals refer families to unlicensed board homes. Experts told WFAA it usually happens when families are unable to afford other types of care or are waitlisted for other facilities.
Arlington police say their investigation involves looking into others associated with the LLC, but as of Tuesday, they had not interviewed Tennison.
Becquer is at the Tarrant County Jail on a $750,000 bond. She faces a felony and could soon face more charges, according to police.
Police have received at least 20 tips regarding the case. Investigators urge any current or past clients of Love and Caring for People LLC and/or client’s family members to call a special tip line that has been set up at (817) 575-3230. This is a voicemail-only line that will be monitored daily.