NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Two operators of a North Charleston residential care facility face criminal charges including neglect resulting in death after state investigators determined their actions led to a resident's death from septic shock and severe bedsores, according to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Cynthia Kelly, 58, and Reginald V. Kelly, 60, were arrested following a joint investigation into conditions at Park Circle Home, a Community Residential Care Facility on Bexley Street that the couple operated. Authorities say the probe was launched after the Charleston County Coroner's Office contacted state investigators regarding suspicious circumstances surrounding a resident's death.
According to the investigation conducted by the Attorney General's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, the North Charleston Police Department, and the Charleston County Coroner's Office, the Kellys' alleged neglect between June 12, 2024, and April 10, 2025, caused the death of 64-year-old Thaddeus Moose. The coroner's office determined Moose died from septic shock, bronchopneumonia, and dehydration due to multiple stage 4 pressure ulcers with bone infection resulting from medical neglect, ruling the manner of death as homicide.
On March 3, when investigators executed a search warrant at the facility, they discovered two additional vulnerable adults locked in a room without any means of exiting the building, according to the Attorney General's office. The Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit concluded that these conditions either caused or created substantial risk of physical or mental harm to the residents.
Multiple state agencies responded to assist with removing the remaining residents from the facility, including the South Carolina Departments of Public Health, Social Services, Health and Human Services, and the Long Term Care Ombudsman.
"Protecting our state's vulnerable population is a mission shared by my office and law enforcement agencies throughout the state," Wilson stated in announcing the arrests.
Criminal warrants accuse the Kellys of failing to provide necessary care, goods, and services to ensure residents' health and safety. The couple 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.
Stage 4 pressure ulcers represent the most severe form of bedsores, extending through skin and tissue to expose muscle and bone. Federal regulations require nursing facilities to ensure residents receive care to prevent pressure ulcers and that existing ulcers receive necessary treatment and services to promote healing. The development of multiple stage 4 ulcers typically indicates prolonged periods without proper repositioning, hygiene, or medical intervention.
Septic shock occurs when an infection triggers a cascade of changes that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. When combined with dehydration and advanced pressure ulcers, this condition indicates severe medical neglect. Federal guidelines mandate that care facilities maintain adequate hydration for residents and monitor for signs of infection.
Community Residential Care Facilities in South Carolina provide housing and supervision for adults who need assistance but do not require the level of medical care provided in nursing homes. These facilities are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and must meet state regulations regarding staffing, safety, and resident care.
Resources for Families
Families concerned about care quality at residential facilities can contact the South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The program investigates complaints and works to resolve issues affecting resident care and rights.
The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center provides support at 1-800-677-1116. Family members can also report suspected abuse or neglect to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control or local law enforcement.
Individuals who observe signs of neglect in care facilities should document concerns and report them immediately to appropriate authorities. Warning signs include unexplained injuries, pressure ulcers, sudden weight loss, dehydration, poor hygiene, or unsafe living conditions.
State licensing agencies maintain inspection records and complaint histories for residential care facilities. Families researching care options should review these records and visit facilities in person to assess conditions before making placement decisions.
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