Raymond DeLeon, a former licensed practical nurse in Iowa, has surrendered his professional license following criminal charges and allegations of significant misconduct. DeLeon faces a felony charge for the neglect or abandonment of a dependent person stemming from an incident in November 2025. Prosecutors report he left his post as the sole nurse on duty at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah during his overnight shift.
The disciplinary action follows a series of warnings that went ignored by his employer. Records show Nebraska health officials had previously labeled DeLeon a significant risk to public safety after he was terminated from a facility in Omaha. Nebraska regulators revoked his ability to work as a nurse in that state in August 2025 due to evidence of controlled substance use. Despite this, he secured a position at the Garden View Care Center the following month.
State inspectors found that Garden View management failed to conduct proper reference checks during the hiring process. Staff members at the facility reported concerns regarding DeLeon’s behavior, noting he frequently left the premises during shifts and displayed erratic behavior upon returning. One coworker refused to grant him access to the narcotics cabinet because of clear safety concerns.
Local law enforcement arrested DeLeon in November 2025 after a deputy observed him driving without lights. A search of his vehicle revealed a glass methamphetamine pipe. While DeLeon received a deferred judgment for the drug possession charge, the Iowa Board of Nursing moved forward with disciplinary proceedings. The board accepted his voluntary license surrender to close the matter. Garden View, where these events occurred, remains under federal scrutiny as a special-focus facility due to a recurring history of poor care and regulatory deficiencies.