Ex Whitten Regional employee charged in exploiting, abusing vulnerable adult, SLED says
A former employee at a residential facility for disabled persons has been charged with multiple counts of exploitation and abuse after taking explicit photos and whipping a resident, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Demario Henderson, 34, was charged Tuesday with two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult while employed at the Whitten Regional Center in Clinton, a SLED news release said.
The Whitten Regional Center is a residential facility administered by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. The center is responsible for assisting and supporting individuals with disabilities.
Between May 1 and July 31, 2023, Henderson allegedly took illicit photos of the victim, who was a resident at Whitten and considered a vulnerable adult, on two separate occasions against the victim’s will, according to an arrest warrant. Henderson was one of the victim’s direct caregivers, the warrant said.
Henderson is also accused of abusing the same resident by recording a video of the victim using intimidation, causing the resident to “cower on the bed,” the warrant said.
In another instance, Henderson whipped the victim on their lower back with a portion of the victim’s bed restraint, according to an arrest warrant.
Henderson was booked at the Laurens County Detention Center and, if convicted, faces up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
