Mother and Daughter Arrested for Running Illegal Post-Surgery Recovery Home

A Miami mother and daughter were arrested for allegedly operating an illegal post-surgery recovery house without a license.

Monica Garcia, 47, and her daughter Laura Garcia, 24, were taken into custody Wednesday morning by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO). Investigators executed a search warrant at their home on SW 143rd Court and SW 24th Street, where they say the pair ran an unlicensed facility.

Monica Garcia was already known to authorities, having been arrested for the same activity at the same property in 2023. Though prosecutors previously dropped the case, allowing her to complete a pre-trial diversion program, she now faces new charges alongside her daughter.

Both women are accused of operating an assisted living facility without a license and improperly disposing of hazardous biomedical waste.

Garcia’s business, Oasis Retreat Miami, advertised post-surgical care on social media, showing patients being transported and recovering in homes. While one video claimed the business was licensed, Florida’s Agency for Healthcare Administration confirmed no such license existed. In fact, the agency had recently denied Garcia’s application due to multiple violations.

During the January 23 search, investigators found five recovering patients and unlicensed staff at the property—though Garcia herself was not there.

Detective Angel Rodriguez warned that illegal recovery homes pose serious risks, as they lack qualified medical professionals. He also noted that current laws are insufficient to curb the rise of such operations across South Florida.

When arrested, Garcia reportedly told investigators, “Half of Miami is doing this, and you are coming after me.”

NBC6 reached out to Garcia’s business for comment but received no response. Authorities continue working with state agencies to shut down unlicensed recovery homes.