Texas assisted living facility left woman to freeze to death, authorities said

September 7, 2025 Women

The business and two staffers — Executive Director Mendi Ramsay and Wellness Director Rochelle Alvarado — were charged with injury to an elderly person.

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“The staff’s conduct was authorized by high-level managerial agents, specifically Mendi Ramsay or Rochelle Alvarado, acting on behalf of Harvest Renaissance-Austin, LLC, within the scope of their official duties,” according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

Three women sit on a couch; a framed photo of a woman and child sits in the foreground.
The grand jury rendered its decision Thursday regarding the death of Pierce, seen here in a framed photo.KXAN

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Framed photo of a young child, a woman, and a woman in a graduation cap.
Pierce was a mother and grandmother.KXAN

“My Mom was left alone and freezing, and it shouldn’t have happened,” Ferguson said. “We hope this criminal case will force Harvest to take responsibility for their failings and make permanent changes so that something like this never happens again.”

An attorney for Ramsay and Alvarado argued they were not at fault for Pierce’s death and insisted “no crime was committed,” according to KXAN.

Pierce’s relatives have also filed a civil lawsuit against the assisted living facility.

* Original Article:

https://nypost.com/2025/09/06/us-news/texas-assisted-living-facility-left-woman-to-freeze-to-death-authorities-said/