News Summary

An employee was arrested at Above the Rest Residential Care in Florence, South Carolina, after deputies found no staff on duty during a health emergency. The employee, Na’Trell Wade Bryant, had an extensive criminal history. Following an investigation prompted by a resident’s complaint, illegal narcotics were discovered in his possession. The South Carolina Department of Public Health is now assessing the facility’s compliance with health and safety regulations amid ongoing concerns from families about oversight and resident safety.

Florence, South Carolina – Employee Arrested at Above the Rest Residential Care Facility After Deputies Find No Staff on Duty

An employee was arrested at Above the Rest Residential Care, an assisted living facility in Florence, South Carolina, after a routine complaint revealed alarming lapses in staffing oversight. The incident occurred on June 6, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m. EDT, after Florence County EMS alerted the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) regarding a resident who was experiencing chest pains.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered the facility’s front door was unlocked and the building appeared to be unstaffed. An immediate search of the premises revealed no staff members present, heightening concerns about the safety and well-being of the residents. Following their investigation, deputies located 20-year-old Na’Trell Wade Bryant, a resident of Lamar, South Carolina, on the property.

Bryant was found to have a significant criminal history, which includes multiple arrests and charges since August 2023. At the time of his arrest, he had two active bench warrants for failing to appear in court on prior charges. During the search, deputies also discovered illegal narcotics, which included cocaine base and marijuana, in Bryant’s possession.

Consequently, Bryant was charged with Manufacturing/Distribution of Cocaine Base and Possession of Marijuana. He is currently being held at the Florence County detention center, with a $20,000 surety bond set for the drug-related offenses.

Additional Investigation and Concerns

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) is now conducting an investigation into the Above the Rest Residential Care facility to assess compliance with health and safety regulations. A spokesperson for the SCDPH confirmed that their investigation is ongoing, indicating that further details may emerge as inquiries continue.

In light of the recent incident, the FCSO has indicated that there may be additional charges arising from the circumstances surrounding Bryant’s arrest. Concerns about the facility were already present, as it has received negative reviews from families of former residents, highlighting issues with oversight, staffing levels, and overall resident safety.

Background Context

Above the Rest Residential Care is a licensed assisted living facility, which is expected to provide adequate support and supervision to its residents. However, the occurrences on June 6 raise significant questions about staffing protocols and the operational standards of the facility. The lack of staff on duty during a health emergency not only endangered the well-being of the residents but also drew the attention of law enforcement and health authorities.

Na’Trell Wade Bryant’s previous offenses include unlawful possession of a stolen pistol and felony drug distribution, which may have compromised his ability to effectively support the facility’s operations. His multiple failures to appear in court for prior charges leading to bench warrants underscore a troubling pattern of legal issues.

As the investigations by the FCSO and SCDPH unfold, the future of Above the Rest Residential Care and the safety of its residents remain uncertain. Stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, hoping for swift action to ensure the well-being of those in care.

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Above the Rest Residential Care Employee Arrested
• Fits News: Employee with Outstanding Warrants and Drugs Found
• WPDE: State Revokes Licenses of Pee Dee Residential Care Facilities
• WBTW: State Regulators Shut Down Pee Dee Residential Care Facilities
• The State: South Carolina News on Residential Care Issues
• Wikipedia: Assisted Living
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Medical Care
• Google Search: Residential Care Facility Issues South Carolina
• Google Scholar: Residential Care Facility Safety
• Google News: South Carolina Residential Care

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.