Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Estelle A. Hutchinson and Tracy T. Wright, both of Orangeburg, SC, in connection with a case involving the neglect and mistreatment of vulnerable adults in an unlicensed Certified Residential Care Facility (CRCF). The arrests were the result of a joint investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (SCMFCU), the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety (ODPS), and the SCDHEC’s Bureau of Healthcare Quality.

According to a statement by Attorney General Wilson, the investigation revealed that Hutchinson and Wright, who were operating the care facility, failed to provide the necessary care and services to maintain the health and safety of the five vulnerable adult residents. The residents were found confined in locked rooms without access to basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and medical services.

Chief Charles P. Austin, Sr. of the ODPS commended the collaborative work of the joint task force that led to the rescue and relocation of the victims. He emphasized that the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults is a top priority for the ODPS.

Hutchinson and Wright have been charged with multiple counts, including Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult, Kidnapping, and Criminal Conspiracy. They were booked into the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center and will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.

In South Carolina, Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony with penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Kidnapping carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, while Conspiracy could result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.

Attorney General Wilson reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The SCMFCU, which led the investigation, receives funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat provider fraud, abuse, and neglect of vulnerable individuals in various settings.