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Yes—according to reporting by Law&Crime and WMBF, Nora Rowland says a caregiver told her through a Ring doorbell that her 75-year-old father had died three days earlier. Separately, arrest-warrant allegations reported by Law&Crime say the caregiver obtained a deed transferring his Conway, South Carolina, home for $5. The death notification is the daughter’s account; the deed and financial conduct are allegations, not established findings.

What Nora Rowland says happened at the Ring doorbell

Robert Rowland, 75, died in June 2024 in Conway, South Carolina. His daughter, Nora, told WMBF that they had FaceTimed each week, but she heard from him less often after caregiving began. Worried, she drove from Maryland to check on him.

In Nora’s recollection, published by Law&Crime, the caregiver spoke to her through the Ring doorbell and said: “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 said her father had died three days before she arrived. This is her reported recollection, not independently verified doorbell audio. Law&Crime’s September 30, 2026 report; WMBF’s August 30, 2026 report.

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What the $5 deed and financial allegations involve

Law&Crime reported that arrest warrants allege Sarah Smalls obtained power of attorney from Rowland, withdrew more than $17,000 in cash, and obtained a deed to his home dated April 17, 2024. The reported deed transferred the house for $5. The outlet also reported that Smalls allegedly had her sister notarize the deed. These details are allegations relayed from warrants and records; the reporting does not establish that the transfer was theft or that the deed has been ruled invalid.

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Law&Crime also reported that bank statements reviewed by WMBF showed transfers from Rowland to Smalls, and that the allegations include federal documents submitted to the Housing Authority of Conway. Those reports do not establish a final finding about the transfers or documents.

Arrest and status reported in September 2026

Law&Crime reported on September 30, 2026, that Smalls, 58, had been booked on charges of perjury, breach of trust, and exploitation of a vulnerable adult, then released on bond. An arrest and charges are not a conviction. The reports reviewed do not establish the ultimate criminal or civil outcome.

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What happened during the daughter’s visit

WMBF’s August report said that after Smalls called police alleging Nora and her partner had broken in and were trespassing, the two were initially handcuffed. The report said trespass charges were later dropped and Conway police were investigating at that time. The later September report provides the subsequent arrest update concerning Smalls.

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What the care company and county registrar said

Law&Crime quoted Griswold Care Pairing for Myrtle Beach as saying Smalls had been a Certified Nurse Aide in South Carolina and had passed required background checks before referral. The company said it took the allegations seriously and was cooperating with law-enforcement or regulatory inquiries. That is the company’s statement as reported by Law&Crime, not an independent determination about what occurred.

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In the August report, Horry County registrar of deeds Marion Foxworth III described the office’s recording role this way: “If it contains all the correct information to meet the legal standard, then we record it. We don’t check whether what’s in that deed is fair or right.” His explanation concerns the office’s role; it is not a ruling on this deed’s validity or fairness.

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  • Connect to who’s there — See, hear, and speak in real time with Live View and Two-Way Talk.
  • Get real-time alerts — Receive real-time notifications on your phone when motion is detected.
  • Easily recharge — Simply insert the included removal tool to detach your doorbell from the wall, then recharge the built-in battery via USB-C. (Cable not included.)

What is—and is not—established

  • Nora Rowland’s account of the Ring doorbell conversation and her father’s death notification is reported by Law&Crime and WMBF.
  • The $5 deed, power-of-attorney, cash-withdrawal and related financial details are reported as allegations from warrants and records.
  • The September 30, 2026 report says Smalls was charged and released on bond; the reports do not establish a final court disposition.
  • No particular Ring model is identified in the coverage. The doorbell is part of the reported encounter, not evidence by itself that proves the allegations.

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