Maryland health officials have suspended operations of a Baltimore nonprofit following allegations of neglect and unsafe conditions in an unlicensed assisted living facility. The Maryland Department of Health issued an emergency suspension order on January 31, 2025, against Aim to Inspire Care Forever Limited, located on Garrison Boulevard. The order mandates the organization to cease operations immediately and relocate its residents, with the option to appeal the decision.
The emergency order detailed “serious deficiencies,” including inadequate nursing supervision and the acceptance of residents whose care needs exceeded the nonprofit’s legal capacity. Alarmingly, at least one resident reportedly went without prescribed medication for 30 days. This suspension follows inspections conducted by both state and local agencies that raised questions about the facility’s licensing and operational standards.
Concerns about the regulation of unlicensed assisted living facilities in Maryland have come to the forefront. Investigative reporting by Spotlight on Maryland highlighted over 115 unlicensed facilities monitored by local authorities, prompting discussions on their legality and the conditions residents face. The investigations revealed a troubling pattern of neglect and abuse within these facilities, raising critical questions about the protection of vulnerable individuals.
Since last fall, Spotlight on Maryland has been scrutinizing Aim to Inspire as part of a broader investigation into what advocates describe as “senior trafficking.” This term refers to the practice of housing seniors and adults with disabilities in unlicensed facilities lacking adequate oversight. Interviews with residents revealed alarming conditions, including food insecurity, verbal abuse, and intimidation.
One resident, George Gilliam, detailed his struggles with basic necessities, stating that despite claims of medication management and programming, he often relied on rice and water for sustenance. He also reported that staff withheld personal documents necessary for public benefits, leaving him dependent on family for assistance. Gilliam expressed fear of retaliation if he spoke out against the treatment he received.
In November 2025, Spotlight on Maryland confronted Daquan Thomas, the leader of Aim to Inspire, regarding the facility’s operations. Thomas asserted that the nonprofit aimed to help individuals avoid homelessness and claimed that residents were made aware of the services provided. He denied any knowledge of abuse and stated he would address complaints brought to his attention.
Following the publication of these findings, a coordinated inspection involving multiple government agencies took place on November 14, 2025. Officials confirmed that several residents were transported to a local hospital due to health concerns, with one official describing the residents as being “in bad shape.” Despite these troubling conditions, Aim to Inspire continued its operations.
Further inspections occurred on December 18, 2025, yet staff members remained uncooperative when questioned about the presence of multiple agencies. The emergency suspension order issued by the Maryland Department of Health detailed the legal failures of Aim to Inspire, emphasizing the lack of proper nursing supervision critical for assisted living facilities.
The order revealed that the nonprofit not only failed to provide required skilled services but also accepted residents whose needs exceeded its legal capacity. It noted a significant lapse in medication administration, with records indicating that at least one resident went without necessary medications for approximately 30 days.
In a recent legislative hearing, Tia Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Office of Health Care Quality, testified about systemic deficiencies uncovered during inspections. She indicated that many issues within nursing and assisted living facilities stem from infrastructure problems requiring substantial investment rather than mere care shortcomings. When questioned about the timeline for shutting down the facility, Witherspoon deferred to the Maryland Department of Health’s communications office.
Internal sources from the Office of Health Care Quality have alleged that Witherspoon expressed a desire for the media attention surrounding the issue to cease, highlighting concerns about transparency in regulatory oversight. In response to inquiries regarding the enforcement timeline, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health stated that the agency does not comment on ongoing compliance matters.
As concerns about the regulation of unlicensed facilities persist, the situation at Aim to Inspire underscores the urgent need for robust oversight to protect vulnerable populations. Anyone with information about unlicensed assisted living facilities in Maryland is encouraged to contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline for potential leads.
