Rohnert Park care home operator to get jail in elder death

A Rohnert Park senior care home operator will serve up to six months in jail in a neglect case that led to the death of an elderly patient with severe bed sores, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jovita Bishop, 57, was charged in the 2016 death of Marie Giordano, 77 of Santa Rosa, who had been living at the Jasmine Circle facility.

A doctor at Bishop’s preliminary hearing testified Giordano died of complications from bed sores.

Bishop faced a possible prison term but accepted a plea bargain carrying up to three to six months in jail. It also bars her from operating a care home while on three years’ probation.

Her sentencing is March 28.

“Our office is actively involved in making sure elderly residents of Sonoma County are residing safely in senior living facilities,” prosecutor Carla Rodriguez said.

A civil lawsuit against the facility is pending. Among the allegations are that Bishop’s kept Giordano, charging her family $4,800 a month, despite being unable to properly care for her medical needs.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.