Women Arrested After Whitten Center Resident Was Abused

 In Local News

Two women have been arrested after investigators said a resident of Whitten Center in Clinton was abused. Whitten Center is a residential facility of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

According to a SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) release, Lila Denise Kerson, 37, of Newberry, was arrested Wednesday and charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult, and Lasheba Tijaundra Turner, 31, of Laurens, faces a charge of failure to report abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult.

According to warrants, the incident happened while the two women worked at Whitten Center. The victim is a resident of the facility and is considered a vulnerable adult.

Warrants said Kerson was working as a Direct Support Specialist when she pushed the victim’s head into the ground, stomping and kicking the victim with her foot and later bending the victim’s finger back toward her hand.

Turner, who was also working as a Direct Support Specialist, apparently stood by and watched as Kerson abused the victim.

The case will be prosecuted by the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.