Florence, South Carolina – A Florence nursing home resident’s money was meant to be protected. Instead, state investigators say more than $34,000 was diverted over nearly two years by the woman entrusted to manage the resident’s finances.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Delores Ann Edge, 64, of Latta, following an investigation into the alleged exploitation of a vulnerable adult living at Veterans Village Nursing Home in Florence.
Edge was booked into the Florence County Detention Center on July 22, 2026. She is charged with one count of exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one count of breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving $10,000 or more. Both charges are felonies under South Carolina law.
The case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, known as VAMPF, with assistance from local law enforcement. The Attorney General’s announcement identified the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office as assisting with the arrest, while the investigation was conducted jointly by VAMPF and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Read also: Florence invites local programs to turn opioid settlement funds into community action
Investigators allege the misconduct took place from April 23, 2024, through February 6, 2026. During that period, Edge was acting as the victim’s conservator and power of attorney, positions that gave her responsibility over the person’s assets and financial affairs.
According to investigators, Edge knowingly and willfully used the resident’s money and property in an improper, unlawful and unauthorized manner. Authorities say she spent approximately $34,071.98 of the victim’s funds for her own personal benefit without legal authority or permission.
The alleged victim was considered a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law and was residing at Veterans Village Nursing Home, a community residential care facility in Florence, while the reported transactions occurred.
Read also: SteelFab plans $38.92 million Florence facility to support U.S. naval defense
If convicted, Edge could face significant prison time. Exploitation of a vulnerable adult carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving $10,000 or more is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with any fine left to the court’s discretion.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.
VAMPF investigates Medicaid provider fraud as well as abuse, neglect and exploitation involving Medicaid beneficiaries and people living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Federal regulations also give the unit authority to investigate abuse or neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting.
The unit receives most of its financial support from the federal government. For federal fiscal year 2026, 75 percent of its funding comes through a $2,964,287 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. South Carolina provides the remaining 25 percent, totaling $988,096.
Wilson emphasized that the charges are allegations. Edge is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty in a court of law.
