NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The operators of a North Charleston residential care facility are facing a growing list of criminal charges after South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced additional arrest warrants tied to the alleged neglect and death of vulnerable adults in their care.
Cynthia Kelly, 58, and Reginald V. Kelly, 60, who operated Park Circle Home Community Residential Care Facility at 1133 Bexley Street, were served with new warrants following an ongoing investigation by the Attorney General's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud (VAMPF) unit, according to a statement from Wilson's office. The latest charges stem from the identification of a second resident who allegedly died while under the Kellys' care, as well as a third resident who reportedly suffered serious physical harm.
Cynthia Kelly now faces an additional count of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death and one count of abuse or neglect resulting in great bodily injury, according to the Attorney General's office. Reginald Kelly faces one additional count of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. The new warrants, announced on March 19, follow initial charges served on March 3.
A Pattern of Alleged Neglect
The investigation centers on conditions at Park Circle Home that authorities say deprived residents of the most basic necessities of life. According to the Attorney General's office, the Kellys allegedly failed to provide essential care including food, clothing, medication, shelter, supervision, and medical attention while serving as caregivers and operators of the facility.
The newly identified victim allegedly died as a result of neglect that occurred between November 9, 2024, and December 5, 2024, according to Wilson's office. Investigators allege the neglect caused or created a substantial risk of physical injury that ultimately contributed to the resident's death.
A third resident was also identified during the execution of a search warrant on March 3, 2026, according to Wilson's office. Cynthia Kelly is accused of criminally neglecting that individual between February 24, 2026, and March 3, 2026, resulting in great bodily harm.
The charges build upon an already disturbing case. The Kellys were initially arrested in connection with the death of Thaddeus Moose, 64, of Charleston, who died on April 14, 2025, at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Hospital, according to Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal. Moose had been brought to the hospital from the facility four days before his death, as reported by the coroner's office.
According to the coroner's findings reported by ABC News 4, Moose's cause of death was determined to be septic shock, bronchopneumonia, and dehydration resulting from multiple stage 4 decubitus ulcers with osteomyelitis due to medical neglect. The coroner ruled his manner of death a homicide. Investigators allege the neglect of Moose, who was a vulnerable adult resident, occurred between June 12, 2024, and April 10, 2025.
The initial investigation also uncovered additional alarming conditions at the facility. According to the Attorney General's office, when investigators executed a search warrant on March 3, 2026, they found two vulnerable adults locked in a room without any means of exiting the building. That discovery led to kidnapping charges against both defendants in addition to the neglect counts.
Charges and Potential Penalties
The combined charges now facing the Kellys are substantial. According to the South Carolina Attorney General's office, abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison. Each kidnapping count also carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years. The case is being prosecuted directly by the South Carolina Attorney General's office.
Federal and state regulations governing residential care facilities mandate that operators provide adequate nutrition, hydration, medical care, and safe living conditions for all residents. Stage 4 pressure ulcers — the most severe classification — involve deep tissue damage that extends to muscle and bone, and are widely recognized in the medical community as a sentinel indicator of prolonged neglect when they develop in care facility settings.
CMS Inspection History
Community residential care facilities in South Carolina are licensed and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). These facilities serve adults who need assistance with daily living activities but do not require the level of care provided in skilled nursing facilities. While CMS primarily tracks Medicare- and Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facilities through its Care Compare system, community residential care facilities like Park Circle Home operate under a separate state licensing framework.
State-licensed residential care facilities are subject to regular inspections by DHEC to verify compliance with health and safety standards. When operators fail to meet those standards, the consequences can be devastating for residents who depend entirely on their caregivers for survival. The allegations in this case — that residents were deprived of food, medication, and medical care over extended periods — represent what authorities characterize as a fundamental breakdown in the duty of care owed to some of the state's most vulnerable citizens.
Ownership & Operations
Park Circle Home Community Residential Care Facility was operated by Cynthia and Reginald Kelly, who served as both caregivers and operators of the facility, according to the Attorney General's office. The facility is located in the Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston, a community in the Charleston metropolitan area. The joint investigation was conducted by the VAMPF unit in partnership with the North Charleston Police Department and in collaboration with the Charleston County Coroner's Office.
The scope of the alleged neglect — spanning multiple victims over a period from mid-2024 through early 2026 — raises serious questions about oversight and inspection frequency at the facility during that time period.
Resources for Families
Families with loved ones in residential care facilities in South Carolina who suspect neglect or abuse should take immediate action. Reports can be filed through the following channels:
- National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Hotline: 1-800-677-1116 — This federally supported resource connects callers with local ombudsman programs that advocate for residents of long-term care facilities. - South Carolina Adult Protective Services: Reports of abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults can be filed through the South Carolina Department of Social Services. - Local Law Enforcement: In emergency situations where a resident's life or safety is in immediate danger, contact 911.
The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center at [ltcombudsman.org](https://ltcombudsman.org) provides additional guidance on residents' rights, how to file complaints, and how to identify warning signs of neglect or abuse in care facilities.
Families are encouraged to visit their loved ones regularly and without advance notice, monitor for unexplained weight loss or physical deterioration, ensure medications are being administered as prescribed, and document any concerns in writing when communicating with facility staff or state agencies.
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