Former Iowa Assisted Living Director Retains License After Resident Freezing Death

Dwala Marie Lehman must complete training and report on elopement prevention after resident Lynne Stewart froze to death outside facility.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The former administrator of an Iowa assisted living and memory care community where a resident froze to death after wandering outside will retain her state license, but is required to complete 10 hours of training on elopement prevention and write a report outlining what she learned. Dwala Marie Lehman was the executive director at Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing in Bondurant, IA when resident Lynne Stewart, who lived with dementia, froze to death just outside the front doors after door alarms were triggered but not responded to.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing challenges in the senior care industry around resident safety, staff training, and accountability following critical incidents. While Lehman retained her license, the disciplinary action aims to ensure she learns from the tragedy and implements better protocols to prevent future elopements and deaths.

The details

According to a state investigation, Lehman received a series of text message alerts when the door alarms were triggered, but she slept through those alerts. The on-call registered nurse also received similar alerts but did not respond, claiming mechanical issues caused constant alarms in Stewart's room. Lehman acknowledged the alarm on Stewart's door wasn't deactivated until 17 hours after it was triggered, around the time her body was found. A certified nursing assistant, Catherine Forkpa, pleaded guilty to dependent adult abuse for failing to respond to the door alarms. Courtyard Estates was fined $10,000 by the state, later reduced to $6,500, and cited for not providing Forkpa with required dementia training.

  • In 2022, memory care resident Lynne Stewart froze to death just outside the front doors of Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing.
  • In 2023, an Iowa Board of Nursing Home Administrators investigation led to charges of professional incompetence against Dwala Marie Lehman.
  • In 2023, Catherine Forkpa pleaded guilty to dependent adult abuse and was sentenced to two years probation.
  • In 2024, Stewart's family sued the facility's operator for gross negligence, which was settled out of court.
  • In 2025, a former employee's racial discrimination lawsuit against the facility was settled out of court.

The players

Dwala Marie Lehman

The former executive director at Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing in Bondurant, IA, who will retain her state license but must complete 10 hours of training on elopement prevention and write a report.

Lynne Stewart

A memory care resident at Courtyard Estates who froze to death after wandering outside the facility.

Catherine Forkpa

A certified nursing assistant at Courtyard Estates who pleaded guilty to dependent adult abuse for failing to respond to door alarms, leading to Stewart's death.

Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing

The assisted living and memory care community in Bondurant, IA where the incident occurred, which was fined $10,000 by the state (later reduced to $6,500) and cited for not providing required dementia training.

AbiliT Holdings LLC

The company doing business as Courtyard Estates, which was sued by Stewart's family for gross negligence, reckless disregard for safety, and negligent hiring, retention and supervision of employees.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.