Park Circle Home Caregivers Charged in Resident Death - SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two caregivers who operated a residential care facility in North Charleston have been arrested and charged with neglect resulting in the death of a 64-year-old resident, along with kidnapping charges after investigators discovered two additional vulnerable adults locked inside a room with no way out, according to the South Carolina Attorney General's office.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on March 3, 2026, that Cynthia Kelly, 58, and Reginald V. Kelly, 60, both of North Charleston, were taken into custody following a joint investigation involving the AG's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, the North Charleston Police Department, and the Charleston County Coroner's Office, as reported by multiple South Carolina news outlets.

The Kellys served as operators and caregivers at Park Circle Home, a Community Residential Care Facility located at 1133 Bexley Street in North Charleston. Investigators allege that between June 12, 2024, and April 10, 2025, the couple's neglect directly contributed to the death of a vulnerable adult in their care, according to the Attorney General's office.

The victim has been identified as Thaddeus Moose, 64, of Charleston, according to reporting by Live5News. Mr. Moose died on April 14, 2025, at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Hospital — just four days after being transported from the facility. Charleston County Chief Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin determined that the cause of death was septic shock, bronchopneumonia, and dehydration resulting from multiple stage 4 decubitus ulcers with osteomyelitis, all attributed to medical neglect, as reported by Live5News. The manner of death was officially ruled a homicide.

Stage 4 pressure ulcers — commonly known as bedsores — represent the most severe category of skin breakdown, in which tissue damage extends through skin and muscle to expose underlying bone. These wounds are widely recognized in medical and regulatory literature as preventable with proper repositioning, nutrition, and hygiene protocols. Their presence at such an advanced stage is generally considered a hallmark indicator of prolonged neglect.

When investigators executed a search warrant at the facility on March 3, 2026, they found two additional vulnerable adults confined to a room with no means of exiting the building, according to reporting by ABC News 4 and WLTX. This discovery led to the kidnapping charges filed against both defendants.

Each defendant now faces one count of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death, two counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, and two counts of kidnapping, according to the Attorney General's office. The neglect-resulting-in-death charge alone carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years, as reported by Live5News. Combined with the four additional felony counts, the defendants face potential sentences totaling up to 100 years in prison.

Facility Background and Broader Concerns

The charges against the Kellys have drawn renewed attention to conditions at small residential care facilities across South Carolina. According to follow-up reporting by ABC News 4, an adjacent facility called Windsor Hill RCF was also connected to the Kellys' operations, with their ownership of the properties dating back to 2017.

Department of Public Health complaint documents reviewed by ABC News 4 revealed additional alarming details: one resident at a facility connected to the Kellys had been hospitalized within a month exhibiting severe signs of neglect, including malnutrition, dehydration, and stage 3 to 4 pressure ulcers with an infected surgical site. Those same complaint records also included an allegation that a caregiver threatened to strike a resident with a hammer, according to the outlet's reporting.

Community Residential Care Facilities in South Carolina are licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control and are required to meet minimum standards for resident safety, nutrition, hygiene, and medical oversight. Federal and state regulations mandate that residents in such facilities receive adequate care to prevent the development of pressure ulcers and that existing wounds receive appropriate treatment.

South Carolina's Elder Care Ranking

The case underscores what advocates describe as systemic shortcomings in South Carolina's protections for elderly and vulnerable residents. According to a WalletHub analysis cited by ABC News 4, South Carolina ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories nationally for elder abuse protections and 49th in the prevalence of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Investigators from the Attorney General's office stated that the facility operators "failed the vulnerable adults in their care," according to reporting by WLTX. The case represents one of the most serious neglect prosecutions in the state in recent years, with the homicide ruling by the coroner's office elevating what might otherwise have been treated as a regulatory matter into a criminal case with decades of potential prison time.

Resources for Families

Families with loved ones in residential care facilities in South Carolina or any state who suspect neglect or abuse are encouraged to take immediate action. Reports can be filed with local law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, or the state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center can be reached at 1-800-677-1116. This federal hotline connects callers with local ombudsman programs that advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings. Additional information and resources are available at [ltcombudsman.org](https://ltcombudsman.org).

Warning signs of neglect in care facilities include unexplained weight loss, poor hygiene, untreated medical conditions, pressure ulcers, dehydration, and changes in a resident's behavior or emotional state. Families should document concerns, request access to care records, and report suspicions promptly to ensure the safety of their loved ones.