When Nora Rowland arrived at her father's South Carolina home on Father's Day expecting to surprise him, she instead received devastating news through a Ring doorbell camera—from the very home health nurse who had been caring for him. Sarah Smalls, the licensed caregiver assigned to 75-year-old Robert Rowland through Griswold Home Care, allegedly told Nora that her father had died three days earlier and that there was "other stuff" she needed to disclose.
Background
Robert Rowland was battling Parkinson's disease and a brain injury in the months before his death in June. His daughter, who lives in Maryland, hired Smalls through Griswold Home Care in March 2024 to provide in-home care. Within weeks of hiring Smalls, Nora noticed her father's communication dropping off dramatically—a troubling change for a man who had been close with his daughter throughout her life.
"My dad was always a daddy's girl type thing, so it was always him and me throughout my whole life," Nora Rowland told NBC affiliate WMBF. "We FaceTimed every week."
Court records obtained by WMBF reveal that Robert Rowland transferred power of attorney to Sarah Smalls in April 2024—just one month after she began caring for him. Local Horry County registrar of deeds Marion Foxworth III confirmed the transfer, noting his office only verifies whether deed documents meet basic legal requirements.
"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."
The Investigation
According to Nora Rowland and bank statements reviewed by WMBF, Sarah Smalls allegedly made multiple transfers from Robert's personal account directly to herself before his death. Most disturbing to investigators: the transfer of Robert's house on Quitman Street in Conway to Smalls for just $5.
"I went in, and everything was different," Nora Rowland said upon entering her father's home after learning of his death. "She had put up random photographs of people I'd never seen before. The walls were painted." Nora claims Smalls had remodeled the home days after Robert died—before she could even arrive to grieve.
A neighbor told WMBF they had grown increasingly concerned about Robert Rowland in the months before his death, noting that Smalls began moving furniture out of the home while Robert was still alive. "She was only in here a very short time, and Bob, he was not within his wits at all," the neighbor said. "You could've talked him into just about anything. I even called senior services and asked them to look into it."
When Nora Rowland confronted Smalls upon her arrival at the property, Smalls allegedly called police—claiming that Nora and her partner had broken into the home 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 said. Trespassing charges were later dropped against both Nora and her partner.
Conway Police Department confirmed they are actively investigating Sarah Smalls regarding Nora Rowland's claims of financial exploitation. No arrests have been made as of publication.
Griswold Home Care released a statement through representatives saying the company had no knowledge of the alleged scheme. Attempts to reach Sarah Smalls for comment were directed to her attorney.
"It's so easy for them to get taken advantage of," Nora Rowland said, reflecting on her father's vulnerability. "He was a nice man; he would never think that someone could do this to him. I really can't emphasize enough how many other people could easily get taken advantage of like this."
Key Takeaways
- Sarah Smalls allegedly obtained power of attorney over Robert Rowland in April 2024, just one month after being hired through Griswold Home Care
- The $5 transfer of Rowland's Conway, South Carolina home to Smalls was confirmed by Horry County registrar of deeds records
- Bank statements reviewed by WMBF show transfers from Robert Rowland directly to Smalls before his death in June
- Nora Rowland and her partner were briefly arrested for trespassing after Smalls allegedly called police on them—charges later dropped
- Conway Police are investigating but have made no arrests
What's Next
Conway Police detectives continue to investigate claims of financial exploitation against Sarah Smalls. Investigators will likely examine bank records, medical documents, and interviews with healthcare providers to determine the full scope of any alleged scheme. No timeline has been given for when charges may be filed. Nora Rowland is working with investigators as they build their case.
The Horry County Sheriff's Office Elder Abuse Unit may also become involved if prosecutors determine sufficient evidence exists to pursue criminal exploitation charges under South Carolina law, which carries enhanced penalties for crimes against vulnerable adults.