Montgomery Co. man accused of operating 3 unlicensed assisted living facilities, investigators say

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Montgomery County man is facing a misdemeanor charge after investigators say he operated three assisted living facilities without required licenses.

Jeffrey Canlas, 36, is charged with operating an assisted living facility without a license, a Class A misdemeanor, according to court records.

The case comes as Montgomery County authorities say they are cracking down on unlicensed assisted living operations, particularly those housing vulnerable residents.

Montgomery County Fire Marshal investigators were recently alerted to two properties on Spring Pines Drive that they say were being operated by Canlas. Investigators later learned of a third location, according to court records.

The two Spring Pines Drive homes are next to one another, and investigators said many of the residents were bedridden.

Court records allege the homes did not have required fire safety equipment, including fire sprinklers, alarms or fire extinguishers.

Records also indicate Canlas had previously been notified in January about another unlicensed property. He was instructed to bring the facility into compliance and relocate residents to licensed facilities, according to the records.

Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley said authorities have shut down about 10 unlicensed assisted living facilities during the past year.

"These aren't just businesses. These are homes for people. We just want them to be safe in their homes and secure," Holley said.

Holley said the need for affordable care can make unlicensed facilities appealing to families as the population ages.

"It's cost. Plain and simple. It is expensive to take care of people 24 hours a day and a lot of people can't afford that," Holley said.

Paul Bennett said he experienced that challenge firsthand after his sister suffered a stroke in 2024.

Bennett said licensed care for his sister would have cost about $5,000 a month. He ultimately placed her in an unlicensed facility after a nursing friend told him about an option that cost about $2,000 a month.

"There's a reason why people like Jennifer Rios exist," Bennett said.

Rios, who operated the facility in Panorama Village, was charged last month. Authorities also accused her of operating the facility without required fire safety systems.

Holley said unlicensed facilities can be difficult for authorities to identify because operators may try to remain out of sight.

"It's difficult. Somebody can get an Airbnb, find a handful of people, take their Social Security check and try to remain under the radar," Holley said.

He urged residents and families to watch for signs of unlicensed operations and report concerns to authorities.

"The fire marshal has the ability to do inspections and when we get in there, then we can begin to see, look and find these folks," Holley said.

Holley said operators who fail to comply with regulations can face consequences including fines, suspensions or criminal charges.

Canlas faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of operating an assisted living facility without a license.