South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Cynthia Kelly, 58, and Reginald V. Kelly, 60, both from North Charleston, following an investigation into alleged neglect at Park Circle Home, a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF) in North Charleston. The couple operated the facility and acted as caregivers.
The investigation began after the Charleston County Coroner’s Office notified the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) about suspicious circumstances surrounding a resident’s death. Authorities allege that between June 12, 2024, and April 10, 2025, neglect by the Kellys led to the death of a vulnerable adult living at the facility.
On March 3, 2026, VAMPF and the North Charleston Police Department executed a search warrant at Park Circle Home. Investigators found two vulnerable adults locked in a room without means to exit. Officials say these actions caused or risked causing physical or mental harm to those individuals.
Multiple state agencies—including Public Health, Social Services, Health and Human Services, and the Long Term Care Ombudsman—assisted in removing residents from the facility.
Attorney General Alan Wilson stated: “Protecting our state’s vulnerable population is a mission shared by my office and law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Today I want to recognize the great work by the North Charleston Police Department and the Charleston County Coroner’s Office for their efforts in assisting in this investigation. I would also like to acknowledge the important role our state agencies play in assisting our vulnerable adult population.”
According to warrants issued in this case, Cynthia and Reginald Kelly failed to provide necessary care or services required for residents’ health and safety. This resulted in one death and put others at risk.
Both defendants face charges related to these allegations. The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General will prosecute this case.
Under South Carolina law, CRCFs provide room and board with personal care for adults not related to operators. Residents are legally considered vulnerable adults during their stay at such facilities.
VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud as well as abuse or neglect involving Medicaid beneficiaries or residents of assisted living facilities.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (VAMPF) receives most of its funding from federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; for fiscal year 2026, $2,964,287 comes from federal sources while $988,096 is funded by South Carolina.
The South Carolina Attorney General serves as the state’s primary legal advocate, handling prosecutions across various areas including criminal law enforcement and regulatory matters such as consumer protection. The office works statewide in collaboration with local law enforcement on cases involving public safety and victim advocacy initiatives under Alan Wilson’s leadership.
