88 Children Removed from Iowa Bible Camp During Investigation of Child Abuse Allegations: Police

Iowa authorities eliminated 88 youngsters from a church camp after a 15-year-old positioned a name pleading for assist. 

The incident occurred on the Shekinah Glory Camp of the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, which is situated in Columbus Junction.

The camp was set to run from June 8 to June 29, per their web site.

According to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13, the company, together with the Iowa Department of Health Human Services (Child Protection Services), Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Columbus Junction Police Department arrived on the property with search warrants.

Officials have been responding to reviews of kid abuse and endangerment, the LCSO mentioned in a press launch shared to their Facebook account.

During their search, 88 youngsters have been taken from the property and delivered to the Wapello Methodist Church to fulfill with a number of baby safety employees. 

Many have been additionally reunited with their mother and father or guardians whereas others have been positioned in momentary foster care.

State Rep. Taylor Collins, who represents Louisa County within the Iowa State House, mentioned all youngsters concerned had been reunited with their households, KCCI reported on Monday, June 16.

Victor Bawi, the son of a minister on the church, claimed to KWQC {that a} 15-year-old from Texas known as authorities as a result of he didn’t wish to be there.

He denied that any of the youngsters enrolled on the spiritual camp have been ever harmed. 

“We never harmed that child. We loved him,” Bawi instructed KGNS. “We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.”

Bawi mentioned he was upset in regards to the scenario.

“Of course I’m upset,” he mentioned, including, “Hopefully this can be resolved soon.”

During the interview, Bawi mentioned the kids have been interviewed by authorities, however he and his father had not been.

Want to maintain up with the most recent crime protection? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime e-newsletter for breaking crime information, ongoing trial protection and particulars of intriguing unsolved instances.

“If they wish to examine, they will examine. We’re harmless. They’re not going to seek out something,” Bawai instructed WQAD. “Never abuse anybody. You can ask the kids as properly, they have been having enjoyable. During the scene the place they took away the kids, they have been crying. One of my sisters, they needed to give her oxygen. She wasn’t respiratory. She was unhappy.”

The mission assertion of the Shekinah Glory Camp of the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation is to assist in “Assisting individuals in breaking free from addiction through God’s Word, offering food and shelter to those in need, and supporting individuals during fasting and prayer.”

As of Monday, June 16, the investigation stays ongoing, and no arrests have been made.