Charges Filed Against Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgeman
Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgeman, a home care aide, is accused of criminal sexual conduct of a minor and a vulnerable adult, as well as abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgeman was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on January 9, 2026. On January 12, 2026, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office announced charges against Hedgeman, 25, of Greenville.
He faces the following charges:
- One count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 16, 2nd degree (felony)
- One count of criminal sexual conduct, 3rd degree (felony)
- One count of abuse of a vulnerable adult (felony)
- One count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (misdemeanor)
What the Affidavit Alleges
A joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) and the Greenville Police Department “uncovered allegations that, between May 1, 2025, and August 18, 2025, Ya’Zeir Hedgeman committed sexual battery against two victims, a minor and a vulnerable adult, while employed as their home care aide, at a private residence in Greenville.”
Allegations Involving a Vulnerable Adult
According to court documents, the adult victim is classified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law due to a mental condition that substantially impairs her ability to care for or protect herself. The records further allege that Hedgeman knew or had reason to know of this impairment at the time of the alleged sexual battery.
According to court documents, the vulnerable adult disclosed during a forensic interview that the alleged sexual battery occurred while she was asleep and that she awoke to the non-consensual conduct.
Allegations Involving a Minor
Court records allege that during the same time period, Hedgeman committed sexual battery against a second victim, who was 14 years old at the time. According to the records, the minor disclosed the alleged abuse during a forensic interview.
In addition, the affidavit alleges that Hedgeman knowingly and willfully encouraged the minor victim to violate South Carolina law by obtaining and providing her with nicotine electronic smoking devices, which she was legally prohibited from possessing due to her age.
Read the full press release here.
Employment Through a Licensed In-Home Health Care Agency
According to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Hedgeman was employed by a licensed in-home health care agency at the time of the alleged abuse. They have stated that the name of the agency is not being released out of an abundance of caution to protect the identity of the victims.
If you or someone you know was harmed by Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgeman, please contact the Attorney General’s Victim Advocacy Division at (803) 737-3739.
When Caregiver Abuse Occurs
Cases involving abuse by someone in a position of trust, such as a caregiver, are rarely isolated. When a person entrusted with unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults is accused of abuse, there is often concern that other victims may exist but have not yet come forward, particularly when victims are minors or cognitively impaired and may struggle to disclose what happened.
While the criminal case against Hedgeman focuses on his individual accountability and represents an important step toward justice for the two identified victims and community safety, civil cases can separately examine whether institutions responsible for employing or overseeing caregivers failed to take reasonable steps to protect patients. Civil cases can also provide survivors with a path to accountability, answers, and financial support.
Help for Survivors and Their Families
If you or someone you love was harmed by a Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgeman or another caregiver, reaching out to sexual abuse lawyer can be an important step in your journey to justice.
Our attorneys recognize how difficult it can be to come forward about abuse, especially when harm occurs at the hands of someone who was supposed to be trustworthy.
We approach every case with compassion, discretion, and a trauma-informed perspective.
If you have questions about your rights or believe an institution may have failed to protect you from abuse, our team is here to listen and help you explore your legal options in a safe setting.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
Image sources: Mugshot of the defendant, Ya’Zeir Armayne Hedgema, courtesy of Greenville County Inmate Search. Greenville County Detention Center, © Google, Google Maps.
