When Nora Rowland arrived at her father's Conway, South Carolina home on Father's Day 2024, she expected to check on him as she had growing concerns about his well-being. Instead, a Ring doorbell camera connected her to Sarah Smalls — the home care nurse hired to care for 75-year-old Robert Rowland — who delivered devastating news.
"She tells me, 'This isn't the way that I wanted to tell you, but your dad died, and there's a bunch of other stuff I have to tell you too. Just wait there,'" Nora Rowland recalled in an interview with NBC affiliate WMBF.
Background
Robert Rowland had been battling Parkinson's disease and a brain injury before his death in June 2024. His daughter, who lives in Maryland, told WMBF that she grew increasingly concerned after Smalls was hired through Griswold Home Care in March 2024 — noting her father's communication became less frequent.
"My dad was always a daddy's girl type thing, so it was always him and me throughout my whole life," Nora Rowland said. "We FaceTimed every week."
According to local court records reviewed by WMBF, Smalls obtained power of attorney over Robert Rowland in April 2024 — approximately two months before his death. Records also confirm that the deed to his Conway home was transferred to Smalls for just $5.
Bank statements viewed by WMBF show transfers from Robert Rowland's personal account directly to Smalls. Nora Rowland told the station she believes money was taken from her father before he died.
"He was a nice man; he would never think that someone could do this to him," Nora Rowland said. "I really can't emphasize enough how many other people could easily get taken advantage of like this."
A neighbor told WMBF they had grown worried for Robert Rowland during Smalls's time as his caregiver.
"[Smalls] was allegedly coming here during the day and taking care of him, and one day she started moving furniture out, and he disappeared," the neighbor said. "She was only in here a very short time, and Bob, he was not within his wits at all. You could've talked him into just about anything. I even called senior services and asked them to look into it."
The Investigation
After Smalls allegedly informed Nora Rowland of her father's death via the Ring doorbell on Father's Day — three days after Robert Rowland had died, according to his daughter — Smalls arrived at the home. She then allegedly called police, claiming that Nora and her partner had broken in and were trespassing.
"I'm walking out of the house expecting them to come and help, and they put my partner and me in handcuffs immediately," Nora Rowland said. "I just kept saying, 'I don't know what's going on; this is my dad's house. My dad is dead.'"
Conway Police confirmed they are investigating Smalls and the allegations brought forward by Nora Rowland. Trespassing charges filed against Nora Rowland and her partner were later dropped.
"Everything was different," Nora Rowland told WMBF about returning to her father's home after his death, noting that walls had been painted and unfamiliar photographs hung on them. "She had put up random photographs of people I'd never seen before."
Horry County's registrar of deeds, Marion Foxworth III, told WMBF that his office does not investigate the motivations behind property transfers.
"If it contains all the correct information to meet the legal standard, then we record it," Foxworth said. "We don't check whether what's in that deed is fair or right."
A representative for Griswold Home Care told WMBF the company had no knowledge of the alleged exploitation. Smalls directed inquiries to her attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Rowland, 75, died in June 2024 while suffering from Parkinson's disease and a brain injury
- Sarah Smalls, his home care nurse hired through Griswold Home Care, allegedly obtained power of attorney in April 2024
- Court records confirm the deed to Rowland's Conway home was transferred to Smalls for $5
- Bank statements show transfers from Robert Rowland's account directly to Smalls
- Conway Police are investigating; no arrests have been made
What's Next
Conway Police continue their investigation into the allegations against Sarah Smalls. No charges related to financial exploitation or other crimes have been filed at this time, and authorities have not commented on whether Robert Rowland's death is being treated as suspicious. Nora Rowland has urged awareness about elder exploitation, warning that vulnerable individuals like her father can be easily taken advantage of.
Law & Crime reached out to Smalls's attorney for comment but had not received a response prior to publication.