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Megan’s father after Megan left the program, she said, but one day he stopped calling.

Bennett said Megan’s primary caretaker was her mother, who died three years ago. Despite receiving support, Megan’s father couldn’t see any way out, she said.

“Her dad had a lot of help,” Bennett said. “I don’t really blame the state for this one because they were doing everything they could to get her services.”

Clients at Creative Enterprises are supported by the Medicaid Waiver Program. Clients are also referred to the program by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

While she was able to receive athome care under state waivers, Megan was ineligible to receive care in a residential facility. Bennett said there are also host homes, individuals who volunteer to take in adults with dis - abilities, but there are none in Forsyth County.

If Megan’s father had the opportunity to place Megan in a residential care facility, Otwell said she believes he would have accepted.

Megan’s situation is not unique to the Forsyth program. Bennett said a client with Down syndrome was killed while receiving at-home care. Bennett found another client alone in the hotel room he and his sister were staying in. His sister had died, she said, and he did not know what to do.

Bennett said Megan’s death and those before hers made Creative Enterprises act to inform others about the reality of caring for an adult with special needs.

“The community has really stepped up, too, and I’m sure a lot of them are wishing that they had helped Jerry when he kept asking for help,” Bennett said. A GoFundMe created for Megan’s funeral expenses raised over $10,000.