An 83-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s, Shelba Catterton, died on Aug. 7 after suffering extensive fire ant bites following an apparent elopement from Harmony at West Ashley. Her family says she was found late on July 23 covered in bites and was not taken to the hospital until about 36 hours later; she spent eight days in hospital before being moved to hospice. Charleston police served search warrants at the facility, seized records and have requested an autopsy while county and state long-term care officials are also investigating.
Alzheimer’s Patient Dies After Suffering Extensive Fire Ant Bites at West Ashley Care Facility
Grandson Joe Smith sits beside his grandmother Shelba Catterton's bedside along with his mother Sherri Lero at Lowcountry Community Hospice House Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Summerville. Grace Beahm Alford/Staff
SUMMERVILLE — An 83-year-old woman living with Alzheimer’s disease, Shelba Catterton, died on Aug. 7, 2026, two weeks after family members say she suffered extensive fire ant bites following an apparent elopement from a West Ashley long-term care facility.
Investigation Under Way
The Charleston Police Department opened an investigation on Aug. 7. Attorney Nathan Hughey said investigators served search warrants at Harmony at West Ashley and seized facility records. Detectives have requested an autopsy and other agencies — including the Charleston County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Department on Aging’s Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman — are examining Catterton’s care and death. The state Department of Health declined to confirm whether it is conducting a review.
Family Account and Timeline
Catterton’s adult children say she was nonverbal and left a secured courtyard on the Essex Farms Drive property late on July 23 after a staff member allegedly propped a door open. Staff told the family she was last seen uninjured at about 10:30 p.m. According to the family, Catterton was found around 12:15 a.m. covered with fire ant bites; the family’s attorney estimates the number of bites at more than 1,000. Hospital records reviewed by reporters document extensive, inflamed lesions consistent with ant bites.
“I just think the shocking aspect of this is the ant bites and just being such an unexpected thing,” said attorney Nathan Hughey.
Medical Care and Hospice
Family members say Catterton was not taken to the emergency room until midday on July 25 — roughly 36 hours after she was found with multiple ant bites. She was admitted to Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and treated with antibiotics and steroids for eight days. On July 31, physicians advised the family that little more could be done and recommended hospice care; Catterton was later moved to Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville, where she died on Aug. 7.
Family-shared photos dated July 25 show numerous inflamed, pus-filled lesions along her body and around her eyes. According to the family, inflammation and pus receded with treatment, but her overall condition deteriorated and her body began to fail.
Facility Response and Legal Steps
Representatives of Harmony at West Ashley did not respond to requests for comment. On July 29, Attorney Hughey notified a Harmony administrator that the family intended to pursue legal action and asked that medical records, incident-investigation materials and security-camera footage be preserved.
Remembering Shelba Catterton
Family members described Catterton as a devoted mother and grandmother with deep Baptist faith. They recalled everyday joys — taking grandchildren for ice cream and sharing a favorite bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken — and said she played a central role in guiding the family’s religious life.
The investigation into her death remains ongoing as law enforcement and state agencies review the circumstances surrounding the incident and the facility’s care.
Help us improve.
