Elizabeth Sheppard was charged with exploitation of a disabled adult and neglect of a disabled adult, both felonies, with additional charges expected, according to a Burke County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Members of the Augusta Judicial Circuit C.A.V.E unit (Crimes Against the Vulnerable and Elderly) responded to a call from a Burke County sheriff’s deputy regarding possible neglect at the home in the 100 block of Emma Lane. An investigation revealed Sheppard controlled the majority of the residents’ money, and most never saw any of their money, according to the news release.
In addition to the people in the home, officers found two disabled residents in a dilapidated camper hidden behind a building.
The camper was described as filthy, with raw sewage backing up through the sink from a non-functioning toilet. The roof of the camper leaked and the air conditioning unit was not working.
The two disabled individuals were paying around $2,000 monthly to Sheppard.
Sheppard was booked into the Burke County jail. Seven residents from the home were taken to safe, state-approved personal care homes, and Sheppard’s home is now closed pending a license review.
Chief Deputy Lewis Blanchard thanked Investigator William Loomer of the District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Natalie Paine, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Marshall’s Office, and the Department of Community Supervision “for their dedication to protecting our elderly and for everything they did to help improve the lives of seven citizens within Burke County.”
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Woman arrested, charged with exploitation, neglect of elderly persons
I am glad to see this arrest. There seems to be more prosecuting of these types of cases and that's great.
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