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At approximately 6:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, June 6, 2025, deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) were dispatched to a disturbing scene at Above the Rest Residential Care – a state-licensed assisted living facility located at 2385 Pamplico Highway in Florence, South Carolina.
The call originated from Florence County EMS, which had been summoned to the facility in response to a resident complaining of chest pains. When first responders arrived, they found the front door unlocked — and the building apparently unmanned.
After searching the facility and initially locating no staff, deputies eventually discovered one employee on the premises: 20-year-old Na’Trell Wade Bryant, a Lamar, S.C. resident with a known criminal history. Bryant was found to have two active bench warrants for failing to appear in court on prior charges. During the search, deputies also recovered illegal narcotics, including cocaine base and marijuana.
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Bryant was arrested on the scene and charged with Manufacturing/Distribution of Cocaine Base and Possession of Marijuana. He is currently being held at the Florence County detention center.
In addition to the outstanding warrants, Bryant faces a $20,000 surety bond on the new drug charges.
According to public records reviewed by FITSNews, Bryant’s criminal history stretches back less than two years, but includes multiple arrests and escalating offenses — from weapons possession to felony drug distribution. His first recorded charge came on August 26, 2023, when he was arrested for unlawful possession of a stolen pistol. Though he posted bond that same day, Bryant failed to appear for a court date in December 2023 – prompting the issuance of a bench warrant.
Bryant resurfaced in the criminal system in January 2024 after being arrested for marijuana possession, a charge for which he was later convicted in absentia. In early 2025, Bryant was charged with driving under suspension and, again, was convicted without appearing. Within 24 hours, he was arrested on felony drug charges — accused of possessing or intending to distribute Schedule I–III substances.
He posted bond but again skipped court in May 2025, resulting in further violations.
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Now, Bryant’s legal issues have collided with the operation of a care facility entrusted with the safety of vulnerable residents.
In the wake of Friday’s incident, Above the Rest is under active investigation by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH), which licenses residential care facilities. A spokesperson for the agency, Ron Aiken, confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Additionally, FCSO major Michael Nunn said his agency’s criminal investigation is also continuing — and additional charges are possible.
FITSNews reached out to Felicia Thomas, the registered agent of the business, for comment. As of publication time, no response has been received. We will update our reporting if that changes.
Needless to say, this incident raises serious questions about oversight, staffing and resident safety at the facility, which has received abysmal reviews from the loved ones of former residents.
Stay tuned to FITSNews for updates…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Callie Lyons is a relentless investigative journalist, researcher, and author known for exposing hard truths with heart and precision. As a journalist for FITSNews, she dives into high-profile and murky cases—like that of Mica Francis Miller— with fearless resolve and a sharp eye for detail, whether it’s tracking white-collar crime, uncovering religious abuse, or examining the often-bizarre behavior of those who believe they’re above the law.
Callie made waves with her groundbreaking 2007 book Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal, the first to reveal the dangers of forever chemicals, a story that helped inspire the film Dark Waters and influenced global scientific dialogue. Her work has appeared in numerous documentaries, including Toxic Soup, National Geographic’s Parched: Toxic Waters, and more recently Citizen Sleuth, which examines the complexities of true crime podcasting.
Whether she’s navigating environmental disasters or the darker corners of society, Lyons operates with one guiding belief: “Truth never damages a cause that is just.”
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