Caregiver charged with abuse

Elderly residents harmed, local sheriff’s office claims

August 15, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

A Greenwood woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the physical and verbal abuse of a number of elderly residents at a local assisted living center.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office has charged Lizette Vernell Henderson, 49, of 1227 West Alexander Ave., with six counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult, a felony charge.
Henderson was a caregiver at Emerald Gardens, formerly EdenGardens of Greenwood, according to Michael Patterson, director at the assisted living facility.
A sheriff’s office report gave the following account: On July 27, deputies were sent to Emerald Gardens after a staff member reported she had received a letter from an employee that alleged that another employee had been verbally and physically abusing several Alzheimer’s disease patients at the assisted living center for a period of two weeks.
The staff member told authorities that the center had conducted an internal investigation into the matter, and several employees gave written statements indicating they had witnessed the caregiver abuse six Alzheimer’s patients during that time period. The victims were described as three women, aged 76, 80 and 94, and three men, aged 69, 83 and 87.
Arrest warrant affidavits said the employee was observed making one victim pick items up from the floor and yelling to that patient that “slavery days were over and she was not her slave.” The employee was also observed pushing one victim onto his bed and yelling at him that, if he hit her, she would hit him back, the affidavits said.
The affidavits said that the employee was also seen forcefully yanking the clothes off one female victim, yanking on the feet of a male victim, striking one female victim on the head and arms and yanking another female victim, which resulted in a knot on that victim’s forehead. In each affidavit, the employee was heard yelling in abusive tones toward the victims, telling one victim to get out of bed, threatening another victim that she would beat him up and telling another victim that she would give him a shower when she decided to.
The sheriff’s office investigator conducted interviews with the victims, who said they did not remember the incidents, were non-verbal or talked about numerous other things not relating to the mistreatment, the report said.
Patterson said Emerald Gardens immediately began investigating the situation internally as soon as employees came forward with their statements about the incidents of abuse, and Henderson was placed on suspension while the investigation was continuing.
She was terminated from her position at the assisted living center on July 26, Patterson said, with less than one year of employment at the facility.
“When we became aware of the alleged misconduct, we put our residents’ safety first,” Patterson said. “We did act as a facility as soon as possible to protect our residents.”
Patterson said Emerald Gardens collected statements and photos documenting the alleged abuse, even interviewing the residents about their care.
He said the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the adult protection agency and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by the facility during the internal investigation and the families of the victims were also notified.
None of the victims required medical treatment from a hospital following the incidents, Patterson said, and he added that none of the residents have been moved from the center.
Patterson said employees of assisted living facilities are prohibited from hiring any person who has been convicted of criminal domestic violence, abuse or neglect. Henderson’s record was clear upon her hiring date, he said.
Employees at Emerald Gardens receive training about patient abuse upon their hiring and each receives additional training annually to prevent mistreatment by caregivers, Patterson said.
Lt. Tara Scott, with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, said abuse of this type is not normally seen in the Greenwood area, though she said the department has its own special victims investigator for cases involving elderly victims or children.
“It does happen,” she said, “but it’s not a commonly occurring crime. It’s a pretty rare case.” Patterson agreed, adding that he hasn’t seen anything to this extent during his time at the assisted living facility. “It’s very rare,” he said. “This is the only situation I’ve come across in the five years that I’ve been director.”

What are the advantages of local private schools?

Administrators, students weigh in as GCS, Cambridge reopen for 2006-07

August 15, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

They use the same pencils, oftentimes the same books and they learn the same reading, math and writing skills.
While there is a poster in just about every public and private school that says education pays, some people question the benefits of paying for private education.
But on their first day back to school Monday, parents, students and administrators of Greenwood Christian School (GCS) and Cambridge Academy said that while the education itself might be the same, the teaching process and environment made them choose the private realm.
Michael Edds, principal at GCS, said he does not claim to be in competition with the public education system and has the utmost respect for what it does with its students. But having worked in private and public school systems, he said there is a different atmosphere at GCS brought on by the teachings from a Christian world view and ethical lessons he thinks benefit the students at the school. Their goal, he said, is to not just teach the mind, but also the body and soul, which is reflected in the way they discipline their students by saying “we love you too much to let you do this.”
“We have been accused of sheltering students from the real world, but that’s just not the case,” he said. “We are preparing them to handle it by teaching them how to function as a Christian in a world that is growing to become more non-Christian ... it’s a little like heaven. We have all different denominations here working together despite our little differences.”
Bob Steeley, headmaster at Cambridge Academy, said it has been his experience that private schools have quite the opposite effect on students once they are exposed to the “real world.”
“When our students do go to a larger environment, they have more confidence. They’re not afraid to ask questions and speak in front of a group,” he said. “Because that’s what they are accustomed to. All these things are part of being interactive in smaller groups.”
There are still those who maintain that students in private schools receive a culture shock once they exit the reserved environment maintained at the schools. Glenda Hatfield, who has two students at Cambridge and one who graduated from there and went to Clemson University, said she later asked her oldest daughter if she felt disadvantaged at Clemson because she had gone to a smaller school. She said she was surprised to find out the benefits that the smaller classes had created as her daughter was never able to join cliques because her class was so small.
“She said ‘when I was at Cambridge I was with the same group of 15 kids and couldn’t get away from them. I made coping skills and got along with a diversity of students,’” she said.
Tara Vaughan said she and her husband chose to move their children from Merrywood Elementary to GCS because they liked the idea of reinforcing what they were teaching at home in a nurturing environment in the classroom.
She said she enjoys the effects of the school having grades kindergarten through 12.
“The younger kids are influenced by incredible mentors,” she said. “They see how the older kids speak to each other, encourage each other and the way they live their lives and want to be just like that.”
Aurelia Koschel, a GCS high school math teacher who used to teach in Abbeville County, said she chose to teach at a Christian school because she could express her faith openly and her children could go to school with her. She said she has noticed a difference in the students and parental involvement.
“In public schools, they get all kinds of backgrounds, and some of those kids are interested in doing their best and some aren’t,” she said. “The kids here have a desire to learn ... and I think that knowing you’re paying for that education, parents are more willing to make sure that happens.”
Thirteen-year-old Cambridge student Alex Hatfield said she enjoys not only the small classes and knowing everyone in school, but also being involved in activities, as the school has a no-cut policy when it comes to athletics and extracurricular activities such as football and cheerleading.
Micah McMinn, a junior at GCS, said when he transferred to the school last year he was immediately welcomed and noticed there were not any cliques. He said he enjoys the feeling of belonging to a family of accountability where he knows others will help guide him through mistakes in a Christian direction.
“I can be who I am and trust others will help me become the man of God I need to be,” he said.
GCS senior Bethany Wade said she has enjoyed being able to pray with her teachers when she needs their prayers. The focus on God in everything you do helps her achieve her best academically, she said.
“Because Christ is the focus, you want to do everything to the best of your ability because that’s what He wants you to do,” she said.

Sara Hall

ABBEVILLE — Sara Phillips Hall, 73, of 332 Nation Road, Nation Community, wife of Charles W. Hall Sr., died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006 at her home.
Born in Royston, Ga., Sandy Cross Community, she was a daughter of the late Hubert L. and Retha Jane Partin Phillips. She was a retired self- employed florist, an employee of the Abbeville Shirt Plant for many years and a member of Midway Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Charles W. Hall Jr. of Abbeville; 3 grandchildren; three brothers Eugene Phillips of Iva, James B. Phillips of Carnersville, Ga., and Vincent Phillips of Royston, Ga.
Services are 3 p.m. today at Midway Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Larry Cantrell and Charles W. Hall Jr. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is at the home of her son, Charles and Teresa Hall, 326 Nation Road.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolence may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com

Gladys Holloway

NINETY SIX — Gladys Holloway, 77, of 128 Joseph Road, died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006 at her home.
Born in Ninety Six, she was a daughter of the late Josephine Dimmie. She was a member of Mays United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women Club, Nurturing and Outreach Mission Administrative Board and Tuesday Morning Devotional.
Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie Holloway of Ninety Six.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Solomon ‘S.J.’ Holloway Jr.

COLUMBIA — Services for Solomon “S.J.” Holloway Jr., of 1732 Morning Hill Drive, are at noon Thursday at Old Mount Zion Baptist Church, Epworth, conducted by the Rev. Clyde D. Cannon, assisted by the Rev. Bernard White. The body will be placed in the church at 11. Burial with military rites is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, and flower bearers are nieces.
The family is at the home of a sister Dorothy Davis, 106 Cadillac Court, Greenwood.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Mary Geneva Easler Cushman Pauline

WEST COLUMBIA, SC — A memorial service for Mary E (Jenny) Pauline will be held 2 PM Sunday, August 20th at the Congaree Baptist Church located at 101 Pine Ridge Drive, W. Columbia, SC (phone# 755-9596). The family will receive friends and family at the church after the service between 2:30 and 4:00 pm.
Mrs. Pauline, 88, passed away Aug 13th.
Born in Richland County on March 11, 1918 to the late Walter P. Easler Sr. and Fannie J. Grimsely Easler. She was one of 12 children.
She is survived by her daughters: Betty Wortham, Conroe TX, June Adkins, Pelion, SC, Patsy Adkins, New Bedford, MA and Cindy Burns, Lexington, SC. Sons: Don Cushman, W Columbia, SC, Ray Cushman, Gaston, SC and Johnny Pauline, Pelion, SC; Brothers: Doug Easler, Alabama, Harold Easler, Georgia; Sisters: Ruth Smith, Virginia, Odell Shealy, Missouri, Stella Faulkner, Ninety Six and Sadie Rushton, Ninety Six; 28 Grand-children, 45 Great-Grand-children and 7 Great-Great-Grand-children; Special Friends: Don & Ann Thornton.
She was predeceased by her children: Helen Garner, Jack Cushman, Milton Cushman, Phil Cushman and her first husband Andrew Jackson Cushman.
Memorials in lieu of flowers should be sent to Cindy Burns, 129 Condor Rt., Lexington, SC 29072.
Visit www.southcarolinacremation.com to sign the online condolence register. SC Cremation & Memorial Society, Aiken is assisting the family.
PAID OBITUARY

Lillie Mae Stevens

SALUDA — Lillie Mae Stevens, 81, of 20 Lindburg Drive, widow of Lindburg Stevens Sr., died Friday, Aug. 11, 2006, at Trinity Health Care, Edgefield.
Born in Edgefield County, she was a daughter of the late James and Mary Dorn Dobbs. She was a member of the Willow Spring Baptist Church and a housewife.
Survivors include seven sons, William Stevens, Lindburg Stevens Jr., Jimmy Stevens, Edward Stevens, Leon Stevens and Jerry Stevens, all of Saluda and George Stevens of Greenwood; three daughters, Alma Stevens of Lanham, Md., Lillie M. Stevens and Daretha Brunson, both of Saluda; two brothers, James Dobbs of Saluda and Charles Dobbs of Mulling; two sisters, Odessa Dobbs of Washington, D.C., and Amy Clark of Saluda; 35 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Willow Spring Baptist Church, Edgefield, conducted by the Rev. Anthony Gordon. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Pallbearers are grandsons, and flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family is at the home.
Viewing begins 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Marshall L. Cobb Jr. in Sunday’s paper, there was an error in the information given to The Index-Journal. Honorary escorts include Home Health nurses.

All students should have good, qualified teachers

August 15, 2006

A new study by The Education Trust shows that most states have shirked the law by failing to ensure that poor and minority students get their fair share of qualified teachers.
The No Child Left Behind Act says underprivileged and minority kids should not have a larger share of teachers who are unqualified, inexperienced or teaching unfamiliar subjects. The law puts the responsibility on states to figure out how to do that.
No child should have any teacher like that, regardless of who or what he or she is ..... rich or poor, white or black or anything else.

IT’S CLEAR THAT MOST teachers in South Carolina are qualified for the job. However, it’s just as clear that some teachers just don’t make the grade. Good teachers are the first to know that, too.
A shortage of teachers, of course, adds to the problem. In addition, states apparently don’t have many options for getting rid of the unqualified. That being the case, South Carolina and every other state should be given the legal means to eliminate teachers who can’t do the job satisfactorily.
It’s up to lawmakers to provide the “tools” needed so schools won’t be saddled with failing teachers and, thus, failing students.