Man charged with abuse after incident at Wellpath Recovery

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC — A Columbia man faces charges of abuse of a vulnerable adult following an incident at a treatment facility, according to agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Agents say 27-year-old Jaquon Malik Benton was working as a detention officer for Wellpath Recovery in March when he pushed the victim backwards into a counter and then “forcefully threw him to the ground,” causing him to suffer injuries that required medical attention.

According to authorities, the victim was a resident of Wellpath Recovery Solutions and a vulnerable adult.

According to agents, the allegations were confirmed through interviews and surveillance videos.

The company’s website states: “Wellpath has over 20 years of experience operating civil and forensic state hospitals, outpatient and inpatient treatment facilities, sex offender treatment, and sanity restoration programs in California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.”

The case is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office of the 5th Judicial District.