Former custody officer charged with abuse of vulnerable adult

Gregory Marcel Higgins, 44, accused of placing victim in chokehold while working at psychiatric hospital

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has charged Gregory Marcel Higgins, a 44-year-old former custody officer, with Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult. The charges stem from an incident where Higgins allegedly placed a vulnerable adult patient in a chokehold while working at a psychiatric hospital contracted by the state's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns about the treatment of vulnerable adults in institutional settings and the need for robust oversight and accountability measures to protect those in state care. Allegations of abuse by staff members can undermine public trust in the mental health system and raise questions about the adequacy of training and supervision.

The details

The SLED investigation was prompted by a notification from Wellpath Recovery Solutions, the company contracted to operate the psychiatric hospital. Investigators say the allegations against Higgins have been corroborated through interviews and security footage from the facility.

  • On February 19, 2026, SLED charged Gregory Marcel Higgins with Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult.

The players

Gregory Marcel Higgins

A 44-year-old former custody officer accused of abusing a vulnerable adult patient while working at a psychiatric hospital.

Wellpath Recovery Solutions

A company contracted by the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to operate a psychiatric hospital.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

The state law enforcement agency that investigated the allegations against Higgins and filed charges.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system, with Higgins facing charges of Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of robust oversight and accountability measures in institutional settings that care for vulnerable populations, to ensure the safety and well-being of those entrusted to the state's care.