WRAL Investigates: Father questions facility's story about quadriplegic son's death at Raleigh rehab center

A father is on a mission to find out what happened at a Raleigh rehabilitation facility leading up to his 38-year-old son's death.

Carl Michaud Sr. remembers his son, Carl Michaud Jr., as an avid outdoorsman and a sportsman. He coached youth baseball in Raleigh for years.

In 2014, his lifestyle changed dramatically. An infection ultimately led to him being paralyzed. About six years ago, Michaud Sr. said he moved his son into Raleigh Rehabilitation Center on Wade Avenue, as he needed around-the-clock care.

Despite the challenges, Michaud Jr. maintained his positivity and sense of humor.

"When we first found out that he was paralyzed, when they told us, I actually took it harder than he did and he was consoling me," his dad recalled.

On July 12, Michaud Sr. says he got a call from Raleigh Rehabilitation Center that his son had fallen out of bed, and was on his way to the hospital.

By the time Michaud Sr. arrived, his son was already dead.

"The nursing home called me and said that he had fallen from his bed,” Michaud Sr. said. “They said he was in there by himself and someone found him on the floor.

"I was very concerned about what the nursing home told me because he’s never fallen out of bed in the nine years he was a quadriplegic. He was home with me alone for a year and a half and never even came close to falling out of bed."

Michaud Sr. told WRAL Investigates there is "no way" his son could have fallen out of bed on his own, as he only had the ability to make slight movements of his head.

Keith Wagler, a friend of Michaud Jr., agrees.

"We want to find out the truth for Carl’s sake, and for his dad," Wagler said. "That’s really all we want.

“And, for it to not happen to anybody else because that should never happen to anybody."

Michaud Sr. said the facility will not answer his questions about what happened.

WRAL Investigates contacted Raleigh Rehab seeking an interview. In an emailed statement, Steven Kerley, Vice President of Operations for Southern HealthCare Management, wrote:

"On Wednesday, July 12th, a tragic event occurred at Raleigh Rehabilitation Center involving a resident who had been with us and part of our family since 2017.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family.

“The care and safety of our residents continues to remain the top priority of the staff and management of Raleigh Rehabilitation Center. As this is an on-going investigation and due to confidentiality, we cannot provide any specific resident information or details surrounding the event; however, the state agency has already conducted a thorough investigation.

We will continue to fully cooperate and work with the regulatory agencies regarding this unfortunate event."

In reports from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, WRAL Investigates found there were at least two other patient falls at the facility in recent years.

A report states that a patient rolled off the bed after being turned on her side in February. She survived, and the facility had to complete a safety improvement plan.

The other fall was in 2021, during a transfer. Raleigh Rehab was fined nearly $51,000. The report explains that the patient suffered injuries to include a lacerated spleen and bleeding on the brain.

In 2022, Medicare denied payment to the facility after an inspection showed improper wound care and failure to follow COVID infection protocols, which put everyone in the facility at risk.

Michaud Sr. said there were red flags at the facility, like inadequate meals and issues with roaches, yet his son wanted to stay because he had a private room - something he likely would not have had anywhere else.

Wagler started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.

The State Department of Health and Human Services is conducting an inspection of the facility, which has not yet been published.

The Raleigh Police Department confirms it too is looking into the death, classifying it as a "death investigation."

Michaud Sr. said he has retained an attorney and will continue seeking answers about what happened to his only child and best friend.

"He didn’t fall out of bed. Something happened," he said. "And, I don’t know what happened. But, like I said, I’m not going to rest until I get answers. I don’t care if I have to borrow every last penny in the world. I’m going to make sure I get it right.”