The facilities manager of a Thomasville nursing home remains behind bars this morning (Friday) following a raid on Breakthrough Independent Living Center Thursday. Earnestine Yates now faces multiple charges after agents with the GBI and Thomasville Police uncovered what they called ‘deplorable’ living conditions.

The investigation into the home began around a month ago, when the Thomasville PD was asked to investigate a possible sexual assault. GBI Agent Steve Turner told WALB that during that investigation, they saw evidence of neglect and abuse and requested the GBI come in on that investigation.

According to Turner, residents were being locked in the rooms and tied down with belts. While Yates ran the facility, she does not own the land- it was being leased through the nearby House of Joy church.

She is formally charged with four counts of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of disabled persons, three counts of false imprisonment, as well as one count of operating a personal care home without a license.