Caregiver Laughed While Patient Choked to Death

A young caregiver’s disturbing behavior is now at the center of a shocking death investigation in South Carolina.

Authorities say 22-year-old Haven Alyssa Jackson is behind bars after a vulnerable patient died while in her care — and what investigators claim she did in those final moments is raising outrage.

According to officials, the incident happened on February 1 at the Pee Dee Regional Center in Florence, South Carolina, a residential facility that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The center itself requested an investigation after the patient’s death, prompting authorities to step in.

Jackson, who worked as a direct support professional, had been assigned to care for the victim and was responsible for their safety and wellbeing. But investigators say that responsibility was completely ignored.

One arrest warrant claims the patient began choking while eating food that wasn’t approved. Instead of stepping in to help, Jackson allegedly did nothing — and was even seen laughing during the emergency. Authorities say she failed to perform any life-saving measures as the situation turned deadly.

Investigators also accuse her of skipping required 15-minute safety checks and later falsifying records to make it appear as though she had completed them.

The allegations don’t stop there. Another warrant claims Jackson had already been physically abusive toward the patient earlier that same day, allegedly pushing the victim into walls, knocking them to the floor, and using her body to control their movements.

Officials say surveillance footage and witness interviews helped back up the claims.

The victim, described only as a vulnerable adult, has not been publicly identified.

Jackson is now facing multiple charges, including abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. She is being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center as the case moves forward.

Prosecutors say the investigation is ongoing, and more details could emerge as they continue to piece together what happened inside the facility that day.