Las Vegas woman who ran unlicensed group home sentenced after resident killed in fire

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Thursday the sentencing of a woman who operated an unlicensed group home that caught fire, causing the death of a woman who was trapped inside.

Shawna Virginia Cuff, 41, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections on a neglect charge for permitting or allowing a vulnerable person to suffer unjustifiable pain or suffering.

Cuff was also ordered to pay more than $30,000 in costs and penalties.

“The State of Nevada requires facilities like this to be licensed and for qualified caregivers to be
present whenever residents are in the facility,” Ford said. “These laws are designed to
protect individuals from unfortunate tragedies like the one here resulting from this fire. Like Judge Villani, we are appalled at the facts of this case, but we are pleased with the fair and just
sentence. My office continues to vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals who assume
responsibility for the elderly and vulnerable for their abusive and neglectful conduct.”

In June 2021, Cuff operated an unlicensed facility that caught fire in the 1900 block of Hart Avenue in North Las Vegas.

During the fire, one of the vulnerable residents was trapped in a room that was altered without proper permits, had no windows, and no way to escape.

That resident sustained second-degree burns to her entire body and eventually succumbed to her injuries from the fire.

The facility also failed to have fire extinguishers, an evacuation plan, a fire sprinkler system, emergency lighting, or exit signs.

According to Ford, an investigation showed that Cuff rented a closet to the victim while knowing she was unable to care for herself. The closet was an illegal structure without permits, with an entrance blocked by a bedroom door.

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