Community Outcry Following Caregiver Arrest at Florence Facility
Florence, SC — A 20-year-old caregiver, Na’Trell Wade Bryant, was arrested for drug possession while on duty at Above the Rest Residential Care, igniting serious concerns about resident safety at the facility. Emergency responders discovered 38 vulnerable residents unsupervised, as Bryant appeared to be either asleep or under the influence, leading to charges of cocaine distribution and marijuana possession.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has conducted 23 inspections at the facility over the past 33 months, uncovering 54 violations ranging from inadequate staffing to medication mismanagement. Just a week before Bryant’s arrest, another resident had called 911 due to a lack of supervision, spotlighting systemic issues at the facility.
Felicia Thomas, the facility’s owner and Bryant’s mother, has a history of legal troubles, raising questions about oversight within residential care operations. State authorities are now investigating both the arrest and the long-standing complaints against Above the Rest, which include allegations of neglect and abuse.
As scrutiny intensifies, this incident reveals significant gaps in the regulatory framework intended to protect South Carolina’s most vulnerable residents. Community members demand accountability and improvements to ensure safety and care standards.
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