Dusk to Dawn Ministry employees charged with abuse/neglect of disabled persons www.privateofficer.com

 

WARNER ROBINS GA Nov 13 2011 — Four people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into Dusk to Dawn Ministry, authorities said.

Longtime political activist Nora Etta Reese, 52, of Warner Robins, and Robert Marshall Laughlin, 23, of Warner Robins, were charged Tuesday with nine counts of abuse/neglect/exploitation of a disabled/elderly person, Houston County jail records show. Reese and Laughlin are free on a $5,000 bond each.

William Larry Shearin, 62, of Macon, was charged with three counts of abuse/neglect/exploitation of a disabled/elderly person, jail records show. He is free on $3,000 bond.

Charles Ira Drake, 57, of Hawkinsville, was charged with one count of abuse/neglect/exploitation of a disabled/elderly person, jail records show. He is free on a $2,500 bond.

The arrests were made at Dusk to Dawn Ministry at 413 Curtis St. by Warner Robins police, who assisted personnel of Georgia Adult Protective Services and the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division of the Georgia Department of Community Heath, the Warner Robins police incident report stated.

Tabitha Pugh, public information officer for Warner Robins police, said the state’s investigation may have dealt with Dusk to Dawn Ministry allegedly serving as an unlicensed personal care home. Pugh said Dusk to Dawn Ministry has several housing units.

Pamela A. Keene, media and public relations manager for the state Department of Community Health, said because Friday was a holiday, it would be Monday before she could comment on whether the state was investigating or provide any additional information.

Reese, who listed herself as self-employed in property management, and Laughlin, who listed a restaurant as his place of employment, are accused of failing to provide heated accommodations and of taking Social Security benefits, according to jail records and arrest warrants.

Shearin, who listed himself as unemployed, was accused of taking Social Security benefits, and Drake, who listed himself as the operational manager for Dusk to Dawn, was accused of taking a Social Security check, according to jail records and arrest warrants.

Shearin declined comment, while Reese, Laughlin and Drake could not be reached.

Source:www.macon.com