NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two operators of a North Charleston assisted living facility have been arrested following the death of a resident allegedly caused by severe neglect, according to reporting by WCIV. The case has intensified scrutiny of South Carolina's elder care oversight as new data reveals the state ranks near the bottom nationally for protections against elder abuse.
Reginald and Cynthia Kelly were taken into custody on charges connected to allegations of elder neglect at Park Circle Assisted Living, as reported by WCIV. Authorities say the neglect contributed to the death of resident Thaddeus Moose, who passed away in April 2025 after being transported from the facility. The Charleston County Coroner confirmed the death but has not publicly released an official cause, according to the report.
Records obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health reveal that two formal complaints were filed against Park Circle Home during the approximately 10 months Moose resided under the Kellys' care, according to WCIV. One complaint described a resident being hospitalized within a month of admission showing signs of extreme neglect — including severe malnutrition, dehydration, Stage Three or Four pressure ulcers, and an infected surgical wound. That same complaint also alleged a caregiver had threatened physical violence against the resident, as reported by the station. Following the investigation, all residents were removed from both Windsor Hill RCF facilities, which are connected to the same care network and sit adjacent to each other, according to the report.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health confirmed to WCIV that Park Circle Assisted Living has operated since 2017, when it was transferred to its current owners, and that the facility's license remains active despite the ongoing investigation.
The arrests come against a troubling backdrop. A recent analysis published by WalletHub ranked South Carolina 50th out of 51 jurisdictions — all 50 states and Washington, D.C. — for elder abuse protections. Chip Lupo, an analyst with WalletHub, told WCIV that researchers assessed states across three categories: prevalence, resources, and protections. South Carolina ranked 49th specifically in the prevalence category, which measures rates of elder abuse, gross neglect, and financial exploitation.
"Just because there's a building there doesn't necessarily mean it's doing what it was primarily functioning to do," Lupo told WCIV. "So there does need to be more oversight into some of these areas."
While South Carolina performs above average in certain resources available to older adults, the WalletHub study found the state significantly underinvests in spending dedicated specifically to elder abuse prevention, according to WCIV's reporting. Lupo indicated that greater funding and stronger enforcement policies could help authorities intervene in neglect cases more rapidly.
Local elder abuse attorney Amy McLaren told WCIV that families place enormous trust in care facilities and deserve accountability when that trust is violated. "We are going to continue to hold them to that level," McLaren said. "Otherwise, they will continue to see these lawsuits, and we will continue to pursue them until these loved ones are cared for in a respectable and dignified manner." McLaren also advised families to remain vigilant for warning signs such as repeated falls, bedsores, and pressure ulcers.
CMS Inspection History
While the Park Circle Assisted Living facility at the center of the criminal investigation operates as a community residential care facility under state licensing, federal CMS inspection data for Kempton of Charleston — a separate 23-bed skilled nursing facility also located in the Charleston area — provides useful context about the broader landscape of elder care oversight in the region.
According to CMS records, Kempton of Charleston holds an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a health inspection rating of 4 out of 5 and a staffing rating of 4 out of 5. The facility has received just five total deficiencies across three inspections on record.
The most recent CMS inspection, conducted on May 6, 2025, cited the facility for a deficiency related to infection prevention and control program implementation, rated at a severity level of D — meaning isolated noncompliance that caused no actual harm but had the potential to cause more than minimal harm. A February 2024 inspection identified three deficiencies related to pharmaceutical services, proper drug labeling and storage, and food procurement and safety standards. The food safety deficiency carried a severity level of F, indicating non-immediate jeopardy with actual harm to a resident.
These relatively minor findings at a higher-rated facility illustrate how even well-performing nursing homes receive regular deficiency citations — making the alleged conditions at Park Circle Assisted Living, where a resident reportedly suffered Stage Three or Four pressure ulcers and life-threatening neglect, all the more alarming. Federal regulations require skilled nursing facilities to meet strict care standards, but state-licensed residential care facilities like Park Circle may operate under different regulatory frameworks with varying levels of oversight.
Ownership & Operations
Park Circle Assisted Living operated under the ownership of Reginald and Cynthia Kelly since 2017, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The facility was part of a small network that included adjacent Windsor Hill RCF locations. The for-profit operation highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in smaller, independently owned care facilities that may lack the institutional resources and compliance infrastructure of larger corporate chains. As reported by WCIV, the facility's license remains technically active despite the arrests and the relocation of all residents.
Resources for Families
Families with concerns about the care of a loved one in a South Carolina long-term care facility are encouraged to contact the following resources:
- South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-868-9095 - National Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-677-1116 - Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center: https://ltcombudsman.org
Federal law protects the right of any person to file a complaint about a care facility without fear of retaliation. Families should document concerns in writing, photograph any visible signs of neglect or injury, and request copies of care plans and facility inspection reports. Reports can also be filed with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and local law enforcement if immediate safety concerns exist.
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