Rohnert Park elder care operator sentenced to six months

The former operator of a Rohnert Park senior care home was sentenced Thursday to six months in jail on a charge of criminal elder abuse related to the 2016 death of a client in her care.

Jovita Bishop, 57, has until June 1 to report to jail, although she may qualify for work release or other jail alternatives, such as electronic monitoring, prosecutors said.

The patient, Marie Giordano, 77, of Santa Rosa, died of complications from severe bed sores while in the care of Bishop’s Care Home, for which her family paid $4,800 a month, their attorney has said.

Bishop faced possible prison time in the case but reached a plea agreement last month that allowed her to serve time in jail instead.

She also is to serve three years of probation, during which she is prohibited from taking part in caring for elderly adults or working at such a facility. A number of other, routine provisions are included in her probation order, including that she participate in assistance programs such as counseling.

Giordano’s family also has filed a $1 million civil suit in the case.

-Mary Callahan