NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The operators of a small assisted living facility in North Charleston face multiple felony charges, including neglect resulting in death, after a 64-year-old resident died from septic shock caused by untreated bedsores, and investigators discovered two additional residents locked in a room with no means of escape.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the charges against Cynthia Kelly, 58, and Reginald V. Kelly, 60, who operated Park Circle Home, a Community Residential Care Facility located at 1133 Bexley Street in North Charleston, according to a statement from the Attorney General's office.
What Happened at Park Circle Home
Thaddeus Moose, 64, of Charleston, was brought to the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Hospital on April 10, 2025, from Park Circle Home, according to multiple reports from Charleston-area news outlets. He died four days later on April 14, 2025.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office determined that Moose's cause of death was septic shock, bronchopneumonia, and dehydration resulting from multiple stage 4 decubitus ulcers with osteomyelitis — all attributed to medical neglect, according to Charleston County Chief Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Stage 4 pressure ulcers are the most severe classification of bedsores, involving damage that extends through skin and tissue to expose muscle or bone. Osteomyelitis indicates the infection had spread into the bone itself. Federal and state regulations require residential care facilities to ensure residents receive adequate medical care and that conditions like pressure ulcers are identified and treated promptly.
The alleged neglect of Moose occurred over a period of roughly 10 months, between June 12, 2024, and April 10, 2025, according to the Attorney General's office.
Residents Found Locked in a Room
On March 3, 2026, investigators from the Attorney General's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, known as VAMPF, executed a search warrant at the Bexley Street facility, according to the Attorney General's announcement. During that search, they discovered two additional vulnerable adults locked inside a room with no means of egress.
That discovery led to two counts of kidnapping being filed against each defendant, as reported by ABC News 4. Under South Carolina law, each kidnapping count carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
Additional Victims Identified
The case expanded further on March 19, 2026, when additional arrest warrants were served on both Cynthia and Reginald Kelly after VAMPF investigators identified another victim who had died while in their care at the facility, according to Live 5 News.
Cynthia Kelly now faces one additional count of abuse or neglect resulting in death and one count of abuse or neglect resulting in great bodily injury in connection with a third victim. Reginald Kelly faces one additional count of abuse or neglect resulting in death, according to reports from multiple outlets.
The second death involved alleged neglect that occurred between November 9, 2024, and December 5, 2024, according to court documents cited by WACH Fox. A third victim allegedly suffered great bodily harm due to criminal neglect by Cynthia Kelly between February 24 and March 3, 2026 — the same day investigators executed the search warrant.
According to the Attorney General's office, the Kellys allegedly failed to provide basic necessities to residents in their care, including food, clothing, medication, shelter, supervision, and medical care.
Charges and Potential Sentences
Each defendant was initially charged with one count of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death, which carries up to 30 years imprisonment under South Carolina law. They also each face two counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, carrying up to five years and a $5,000 fine per count, and two counts of kidnapping at up to 30 years each, according to the Attorney General's office.
With the additional charges filed on March 19, the Kellys face a combined potential maximum sentence of well over 100 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
CMS Inspection History
Park Circle Home operated as a Community Residential Care Facility, a category of assisted living in South Carolina that is licensed and regulated at the state level by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control rather than through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services nursing home inspection system. As a result, CMS inspection data — including star ratings, deficiency histories, and staffing metrics typically available for skilled nursing facilities — is not available for this facility.
Community Residential Care Facilities in South Carolina are intended to provide room, board, and a degree of personal care for individuals who do not require the level of care provided in a nursing home. The state licensing process is distinct from federal certification, and inspection records are maintained by DHEC rather than CMS.
The absence of federal oversight data for facilities like Park Circle Home underscores a gap in public transparency. While nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs are subject to regular federal inspections with publicly accessible results, assisted living and residential care facilities often operate with less public-facing accountability, making it more difficult for families to research a facility's compliance history before placing a loved one in care.
Ownership & Operations
Park Circle Home was operated directly by Cynthia and Reginald Kelly, who served as both the facility's operators and hands-on caregivers, according to the Attorney General's office. The facility does not appear to be part of a larger corporate chain, which is common among Community Residential Care Facilities in South Carolina, where smaller, independently operated homes make up a significant portion of the assisted living landscape.
The dual role of operator and caregiver in small residential facilities can create risks when there is no external oversight or additional staff to identify and report problems. In this case, according to prosecutors, the individuals responsible for the residents' well-being were the same individuals allegedly failing to provide it.
Resources for Families
Families with concerns about the care of a loved one in any long-term care setting — including assisted living facilities, community residential care homes, and nursing homes — have several options for reporting and seeking help.
The South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents of long-term care facilities and can investigate complaints. Families can reach the national ombudsman hotline at 1-800-677-1116 or visit [ltcombudsman.org](https://ltcombudsman.org) to find local resources.
To report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in South Carolina, contact Adult Protective Services through the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Reports can also be made to local law enforcement or the South Carolina Attorney General's VAMPF unit, which investigated this case.
Warning signs of neglect in residential care settings include unexplained weight loss, dehydration, untreated bedsores, poor hygiene, and changes in a resident's emotional state. Families are encouraged to visit regularly, ask questions about care plans, and document any concerns.