A caregiver in Conway, South Carolina, is accused by the daughter of her 75-year-old patient of improperly obtaining ownership of his home and rapidly altering its interior shortly after his death. Robert Rowland, who had Parkinson's disease and a brain injury, died on June 25, 2024.
Nora Rowland, his daughter, discovered her father's passing and the drastic changes to his home days later. Upon visiting the residence, she found the interior repainted in bright orange, with new photographs of unfamiliar individuals displayed. She also noted that the front door had been replaced and a Ring doorbell camera installed.
When Nora Rowland confronted the nurse, Sarah Smalls, she was informed of her father's death. Smalls then accused Rowland of trespassing when she entered the home through a known emergency window. Police arrived and, after Smalls presented a deed showing the property in her name, placed Nora Rowland and her partner in handcuffs. The trespassing charges against Nora Rowland have since been dismissed.
Court documents indicate that Smalls began caring for Robert Rowland in March 2024 through Griswold Home Care. By the end of that month, Rowland had moved into a senior living facility. In April 2024, Smalls was named his power of attorney. A quitclaim deed, transferring the property to Smalls for a nominal fee, was processed on April 17, 2024.
A neighbor told WMBF, an outlet that reported on the case, that he had concerns about Smalls' activities. He stated that Rowland was not of sound mind and could have been easily influenced. The neighbor claimed he had contacted senior services to investigate.
The Horry County Registrar of Deeds office stated that its role is to verify legal requirements for deeds and does not investigate the motives behind such transfers. Conway Police Department confirmed it is investigating the case.
Nora Rowland asserts that her father was unaware of the implications of the documents he signed and believes other vulnerable individuals could face similar exploitation. Police bodycam footage showed the neighbor expressing concern about furniture being moved out of Rowland's home and his subsequent disappearance from view.
