Former Custody Officer Charged with Neglect in Columbia, SC

News Summary

A former custody officer from Wellpath Recovery Solutions in Columbia, South Carolina, has been charged with neglect of a vulnerable adult and malicious injury to personal property. The offenses, which allegedly occurred during the summer of 2023, involved damaging personal property and displaying neglect toward residents in a treatment facility for behavioral health challenges. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced the charges, prompting an investigation supported by surveillance footage and witness testimonies.

Columbia, South Carolina: Former Officer Faces Charges

In a troubling case that has captured the attention of the community, a 38-year-old former custody officer from Wellpath Recovery Solutions has been charged with serious offenses, including neglect of a vulnerable adult and malicious injury to personal property. This news was recently announced by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), shedding light on questionable actions that allegedly occurred at the facility this past summer.

The Facility and the Incident

Wellpath Recovery Solutions, located at 4546 Broad River Road in Columbia, South Carolina, is a treatment center that provides essential care for residents dealing with behavioral and mental health challenges, including those requiring sex offender-specific treatment. Unfortunately, events in June and July of 2023 turned a spotlight on not just the facility’s mission but the conduct of one of its own staff members:

On June 25, 2023, it is alleged that Brandon Oneil Stewart destroyed a vulnerable adult’s personal property, which was valued at up to $2,000. How did he do that? By tossing it into a toilet!
Just weeks later, on July 16, 2023, Stewart reportedly showed further disregard for the residents under his care. Eyewitnesses say he threw a vulnerable adult’s food tray onto the floor, stepped on it, and then bizarrely started tossing food items at a door.
But that wasn’t the end of it. Stewart allegedly discarded the replacement meal of the same individual by throwing it on the floor and then into the trash—a deeply concerning display of neglect.

Evidence and Arrest

The situation caught the eye of investigators, and they didn’t waste time getting to the bottom of things. Surveillance footage, along with interviews and additional corroborating evidence, supported the allegations against Stewart. This led to his booking into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County, South Carolina, where he faced the consequences of his alleged actions.

What’s Next?

While many in the Columbia community await further developments, it remains unclear what will happen next for Stewart. Questions abound concerning his current status—especially relating to his bond and whether he still holds a position at Wellpath Recovery Solutions. There has been no confirmed information on whether he was fired or if he chose to resign from his role at the treatment facility.

District Attorney’s Take

The case is now in the hands of the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who will be prosecuting these charges. With incidents like this, not only is the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults at the forefront, but the community is prompted to consider overall standards of care within institutions that serve such important roles.

Moving Forward

As more information comes to light, residents of Columbia, South Carolina, are left grappling with the implications of these charges. The actions of one staffer have raised serious questions about oversight and accountability within treatment facilities. Community members are understandably concerned, hoping for a swift resolution to ensure safety and integrity within their local care systems.

For now, everyone is watching and waiting, eager to see how the case unfolds and what will be done to ensure that the vulnerable individuals needing care receive it in a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.