Owner of assisted living facilities arrested for neglect to residents, stealing money: cops

An owner of two assisted living facilities in South Carolina has been arrested and charged with neglecting and exploiting vulnerable adults, including stealing more than $60,000 from one resident, officials say.

On Feb. 14, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of 57-year-old Darryl Alan Mast, owner and administrator of assisted living facilities Oakridge Community Care Home No. 1 and No. 2, both located in Inman, South Carolina.

According to investigators, Mast improperly and unlawfully allowed one of the residents at Oakridge Community Care Home No. 1 to work, manage and provide care to other residents of the facility on May 24, 2017.

Because of this, the victim was at risk of causing physical or mental harm to himself and other residents at the facility.

On June 21, 2021, investigators say Mast was entrusted with the funds of a resident at Oakridge Community Care Home No. 2. He took those funds and converted them to his own use.

Officials said Mast deposited a Social Security check from one of the residents in the amount of $66,110 into his own account. He allegedly used the money for his use, including buying a vehicle.

On Aug. 14, 2021, and Sept. 22, 2021, authorities said Mast was acting as caregiver for the residents and he knowingly and willfully failed to provide care, goods or supervision to the vulnerable residents.

On those specific dates, Mast failed to have a facility employee present at all times to provide care and supervision to the residents.

The investigation showed that local law enforcement responded to Oakridge Community Care Home No. 2 on separate occasions due to an imminent threat of harm to the residents, as they were left alone without staff present.

Mast has been charged with 10 counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent, value of $10,000 or more, officials said.

He was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

According to authorities, South Carolina’s Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Environmental Control and Long Term Care Ombudsman are working together to ensure continuity of care to the residents impacted by this arrest.