Bethel Academy, Lucedale, MS
Anonymous
Academy abuse charges probed
Church-based home investigated by AG's office; 13 boys removed
By Riva Brown
rvb...@clarionledger.com
A parent's allegations of abuse and neglect at a church-based home for
troubled boys in Lucedale have sparked an investigation by the state
attorney general's office.
Thirteen children were removed from Bethel Boy's Academy on Friday and
have been placed with the state Department of Human Services, said Nancy
East, spokeswoman for the attorney general's office.
DHS and the state Department of Health also are involved in the
investigation, East said.
A woman who answered the phone at Bethel Boy's Academy on Tuesday
afternoon said a judge would not allow officials to comment. Lucedale
lawyer Robert Shephard, who was representing Bethel Boy's Academy last
year, could not be reached for comment.
Bethel Boy's Academy, operated by Bethel Baptist Church in Lucedale, was
founded by the Rev. Herman Fountain. Fountain previously operated Bethel
Children's Home. In June 1988, state welfare officials raided Bethel
Children's Home and took custody of 72 children found to have been abused
and neglected.
A judge closed the home in January 1990. The home reopened in 1994 as a
boy's academy. A girl's academy opened in 1999 in Petal.
Kurt Lewis of North Carolina said Tuesday there has been no indication of
problems at Bethel Boy's Academy during the five months his son,
15-year-old Tyler Lewis, has lived there, and he has no plans to remove
him.
"He said he had never been hit or abused or touched or anything," Kurt
Lewis said of his son, who talks to him two to three times a week.
State health officials were taking steps to close Bethel Boy's Academy and
Bethel Girl's Academy or force them to become licensed late last year. The
status of the investigation is unclear.
The Health Department wants the homes to close or fall under DHS licensing
regulations because they had not complied with the state Child Residential
Home Notification Act, which requires unlicensed residential facilities to
file a monthly report with the Health Department's Division of Child Care
Facilities Licensure.
The act was passed in response to the problems at Bethel Children's Home
in 1988. Church and religious organizations normally are exempt from DHS
licensing requirements.
East would not say why only 13 children were removed. At least 70 boys
live at the home.
DHS' role in the recent investigation "was to make a determination about
the safety and welfare of the children," DHS Media Director Cory Wofford
said in a statement. "MDHS did not initiate the investigation, nor does
the agency make a determination in whether the facility is allowed to
remain open."
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Anonymous
Bethel runaways in custody of state
The Associated Press
LUCEDALE Eight teens who ran away from the Bethel Boys Academy in
Lucedale over the weekend are in custody of state welfare officials.
The boys, ranging in age from 14 to 17, were discovered missing about 2
a.m. Saturday by the night watchman, said Bethel administrator John
Fountain.
Fountain said the runaways are likely in the custody of the Mississippi
Department of Human Services or their parents. DHS officials would not
confirm whether the teens are in their custody.
Thirteen boys were removed from the home on May 23 amid an investigation
of abuse by the attorney general's office. No charges have been filed.
"We're just continuing our investigation, and we hope to have it wrapped
up soon," Nancy East, spokesman for Attorney General Mike Moore, said
Tuesday.
Penny Kipp of Sacramento, Calif., the grandmother of one of the eight
runaways, said MDHS officials notified the family on Tuesday that they had
custody of the boys.
Kipp said welfare officials were told by the family that they wanted the
boy returned to Bethel.
"He is an incorrigible child," Kipp said of her grandson. "You name it, he
was doing it. These children are all troubled kids. They need the
disciplinary Christian environment of the school."
Kipp said her son, the boy's father, paid $24,000 for her grandson to
attend Bethel.
MDHS spokesman Cory Wofford said welfare officials were aware of the
escape from Bethel. He said MDHS is responsible for the safety and
security of all children in Mississippi, including investigating claims of
abuse.
"The agency does not license Bethel nor determine whether it remains open.
Neither is MDHS responsible for the prosecution phase of the
investigation," he said in the statement.
Bethel Baptist Church operates the home founded by the Rev. Herman
Fountain, who previously operated Bethel Children's Home. John Fountain,
the son of Herman Fountain, runs the Bethel Boys Academy.
In 1988, state welfare officials raided Bethel Children's Home and took
custody of 72 children found to have been abused and neglected. A judge
closed the home in January 1990.
The home reopened in 1994 as Bethel Boys Academy in Lucedale. A girl's
academy opened in 1999 in Petal.
"I know there are allegations, but there's no proof," said John Fountain,
who has not been told specifics concerning the allegations.
Before the 13 boys were removed last month, there were 116 teens living at
Bethel. John Fountain said parents have inquired about the investigation,
and some have removed their sons. However, about 90 boys remain at the
home.
"It's just a bump in the road we've got to overcome," he said. "I want to
help these kids, and I want to help the community. There are good people
in this community, and there are good kids in this home."
Anonymous
AG wants boys home closed
Attorney general's office seeks removal of children from academy
By Riva Brown
rvb...@clarionledger.com
The state asked a judge Wednesday to close a church-based, military-style
home for troubled boys in Lucedale.
The attorney general's office wants the children from Bethel Boys Academy
to be placed in the custody of their parents or guardians, the state
Department of Human Services or anywhere else the court deems appropriate,
according to the complaint filed in George County Chancery Court.
"It is the duty of this office to protect the best interest of all the
children in the state," Attorney General Mike Moore said in a news
release. "Therefore, we believe it is imperative to bring this matter
before the court."
In addition, Moore's office also is requesting that the court keep Bethel
officials from operating the academy or any other children's home and
seeks other unspecified relief the court deems fit.
Thirteen boys were removed from Bethel in late May and placed in the Human
Services Department's custody after the attorney general's office began
investigating a parent's complaint of alleged abuse.
Sandra Shelson, special assistant attorney general, said she could not
talk about the investigation.
"It's fair to say that we felt there were certain matters that really need
to go before a court so that a judicial decision can be made," Shelson
said.
"We knew that was coming," Bethel Director John Fountain said Wednesday in
response to the complaint. "I believe they told us that when they were
here. They've been trying to do that for some time. They do what they have
to do."
Bethel Boys Academy, operated by Bethel Baptist Church in Lucedale, was
founded by the Rev. Herman Fountain, John Fountain's father. Herman
Fountain previously operated Bethel Children's Home.
In June 1988, state welfare officials raided Bethel Children's Home and
took custody of 72 children found to have been abused and neglected. A
judge closed the home in January 1990. The home reopened in 1994 as a boys
academy.
About 70 boys from as far away as Washington, Florida and New York live at
Bethel. Few are from Mississippi. Boys are sent there by court order or by
their parents, who pay Bethel $1,800 to $2,300 per month.
Penny Kipp of Fair Oaks, Calif., said Wednesday her 14-year-old grandson,
Ryan Johnson, spent 10 months at Bethel and never mentioned abuse. Johnson
is in DHS custody after running away June 6, Kipp said, but he said he ran
away because others did.
Kipp said Johnson's father took out a $24,000 loan to send him to Bethel
and wants him to go back there.
"We would still want him returned until we have some proof. They can file
all they want," Kipp said. "He (Johnson) has not said that he has seen or
been a part of any abuse."
Kurt Lewis of North Carolina took his 15-year-old son, Tyler Lewis, out of
Bethel about a month ago, but not because he said his son had been abused
or had seen abuse.
"He just made strides greater than the normal kid, and we determined he
didn't need to be there," Kurt Lewis said Wednesday. "It just gave him
discipline and a sense of being and participating and orderliness in his
life."
Lewis said he had no opinion about the complaint.
"I make an opinion based on the change made in my son, and it was
positive. Period."
Anonymous
July 21, 2003
LUCEDALE (AP) - City leaders and parents are coming to the defense of
Bethel Boys Academy, which the state says abuses children and should be
shut down.
Lucedale Mayor Dayton E. Whites and aldermen wrote a letter to Atty. Gen.
Mike Moore that says "true evidence of abuse" has yet to be shown.
"We are against abuse, but let us assume that tough discipline is not
abuse," the letter says. "If this institution is reprimanded or even
closed, we ask that you please let it be done with hard visible evidence."
Thirteen cadets who said they were abused were removed from the school in
late May.
"The children have suffered physical injury and mental anguish and
humiliation as a result of the defendants' negligent failure to protect
the health, safety and welfare of the children," Moore's office alleges in
court papers filed July 2.
State officials say that cadets have been struck; forced to or permitted
to beat or strike other children; denied proper medical treatment for
illnesses or injuries; shocked with a cattle prod or stun gun; forced to
exercise in the sun without water; punished for requesting water; locked
in a footlocker for hours; and subjected to racial, ethnic and other
slurs.
A hearing is set for Aug. 26 in Pascagoula.
Bethel Baptist Church operates the home, founded by Rev. Herman Fountain,
who previously operated Bethel Children's Home. John Fountain, the son of
Herman Fountain, runs the Bethel Boys Academy.
William Knott, Bethel's chief drill instructor, said with their troubled
pasts, he has to be harder on the cadets.
"They've been coddled so long that they got out of control," Knott said.
Anonymous
ready to testify, but this back-door deal deprived them of that
opportunity -- suddenly, and without warning. The victims had
no say in the matter.
Consent Decree Filed in Chancery Court of George County Resolves Joint
Investigation of the Attorney General's Office, Department of Health, and
Department of Human Services Pertaining to Bethel Boys Academy
August 21, 2003
Following an intensive investigation by the Mississippi Attorney
Generals Office, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services
into complaints of suspected abuse and/or neglect of youths placed in the
Bethel Boys Academy, George County, MS, a Consent Decree was today signed
by Chancellor Pat Watts at a hearing held in the Jackson County Chancery
Court at 12:00 noon.
Attorney General Moore stated that the terms of the Decree resulted
from the investigations of the agencies involved, from meetings with all
involved individuals, from information received from local community
leaders, both pro and con, as well as from interviews with the children
and their parents.
As part of the settlement agreement, The Rev. Herman Fountain, Sr. has
agreed to relinquish any and all interest and control that he might have
in the Bethel Academy and depart from the Academy no later than 120 days
from the entry of the Consent Decree.
In addition, the following conditions were required of Bethel Boys
Academy before the presentation of the Decree to the Court, and these
conditions have been met:
1.
The dismissal of those employees accused of wrongdoing by the
State;
2.
The performance of criminal background and felony conviction
record checks on current and prospective employees;
3.
The employment of licensed instructors to provide educational
services to the residents of Bethel;
4.
The utilization of a video camera system capable of upgrading to
fully monitor all areas of the Academy;
5.
The employment of a full-time nurse to extend immediate medical
care to any resident of Bethel;
6.
The implementation of an incident reporting system;
7.
The commitment to establish a community advisory board, composed
of community leaders, health care professionals, educators, law
enforcement officials and others.
In addition, Bethel Academy has agreed to accept the following terms
presented by the State:
1.
The Academy is to immediately adopt a policy strictly
prohibiting abuse and neglect of any type by any employee, volunteer, or
other child residing at Bethel. This policy is to be strictly enforced and
any employee found to be in violation is to be immediately terminated;
2.
Bethel is to, at its own expense, retain a consultant or
consultants approved by all parties, skilled in the operation of similar
facilities, to create policies to ensure the safe, effective and efficient
operation of the Academy. If at any time any of the parties believe the
consultant is not carrying out his or her duties, a meeting will be called
within ten (10) working days to negotiate the continued service of that
consultant. Another consultant can only be retained by agreement of all
parties, and if the parties cannot agree, one will be appointed by the
Court. The Academy is to take all measures necessary to comply with the
consultants recommendations;
3.
All employees, volunteers, or other persons who come into
contact with the children residing at Bethel are to be trained by someone
licensed or certified in the appropriate field of expertise. Any organized
athletic activity is to be supervised by a coach certified in the
appropriate field. No child shall be required to participate in boxing
activity;
4.
Bethel is required to remove all electric fences surrounding the
Academy property and is prohibited from any future use of electric fences.
No electrical devices of any type will be used for discipline of children
residing there;
5.
Bethel premises are to be accessible for inspection determined
necessary by the State of Mississippi;
6.
Bethel is to comply with all state laws pertaining to education;
7.
Bethel is to put in place a health and medical treatment policy,
including provisions regarding physical exercise and activities of the
children. This policy is to specifically include the manner in which the
children will be allowed access to water and restrooms during physical
activities;
8.
Bethel is to create and put in place a discipline and family
communication policy which is to be approved in writing by the parent or
guardian of the children residing there;
9.
A written policy on the reporting of any abuse or neglect will
be established, which will include requirements ensuring that no
retaliation of any kind be permitted against any child who might report
such allegations. In addition, Bethel will put in place a reporting system
which documents any such allegations made and their responses to them;
10.
A Guardian ad Litem or Special Master will be appointed by the
Court to ensure compliance with the terms of the Decree entered and to
file quarterly reports with the Court on his findings.
General Moore stated, "We want to make sure that our children are
protected, that they are safe and not subject to abuse. All children
deserve proper treatment, medical care, and positive nurturing - including
those who have been in trouble. This Agreement ensures the children will
be protected, and that the Courts will be watching!"
Thelma W. Brittain, Executive Director of the Department of Human
Services, added, "The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS)
primary concern is the safety and welfare of the children in Mississippi,
including children currently and formerly housed at Bethel Boys Academy
(Bethel) in George County, MS. Whenever or wherever there are complaints
of abuse and/or neglect, MDHS will aggressively investigate each claim.
The agency is supportive of the Consent Decree that has been entered into
between Attorney General Mike Moore and Bethel, and we will continue to
fulfill our role in the investigation."
Dr. Brian Amy, State Health Officer, said, "Our mission at the
Mississippi State Department of Health is to promote and protect the
health of all Mississippians, including our most precious resource, our
children. This Consent Decree requires not only provisions for the
childrens safety, but it also addresses their educational and medical
needs. The Mississippi State Department of Health will continue to work
with the Attorney Generals Office and the Department of Human Services to
assure compliance with this Consent Decree and all aspects of the Child
Residential Home Notification Act."
Consent Decree: http://betheltruth.org/articles/decdoc.html
Bethel Abuse Victim
out of your child daily. Herman Fountain and John Fountain should be
in prison for all the abuse they have inflicted on innocent children
for 20 years. I am one of those victims. Torture was a way of life
while I lived there. No food or water and you weren't allowed to use
the restroom until you went on yourself. Which of course you were
beaten for that also. Denied medical treatment and the doctors you do
see are paid off by the Fountains to cover-up the child abuse. If a
Bethel kid was taken to a regular hospital or doctor it is their legal
obligation to call proper authorities of possible child abuse. Not so
in George County. The abuse is swept under the rug and the victim
sent right back to Bethel's prison.
toq...@verizon.net
New Abuse Claim Against Bethel
Feb 15, 2005, 04:36 PM EST Email to a Friend Printer Friendly Version
Another allegation of physical abuse at Bethel Girls Academy has an
angry parent taking action.
"I got a call at 11:30 at night telling me they're taking my child to
the emergency room because my child's wrist is swollen and they think
it's broken, so when I get a call back they're telling me it's broken,"
says Angela Roberts.
Last Saturday, Roberts says, she received some shocking news. Officials
at Bethel told her that her 16-year-old daughter Angenika injured
herself after she slammed her fingers in a door and punched a wall. But
Roberts says she's not buying it. She claims the school's director
Herman Fountain is responsible.
"My daughter says Mr. Fountain grabbed her and took his knees and put
it in my daughter's pelvis area and grabbed her wrist and pushed it all
the way back until it popped," she says. "That is ridiculous."
Angenika McNeil, the alleged victim, says: "He just jacked me up and he
slung me into the door and that's how I got this cut on my eye and when
I got into his office he put his knee into my stomach and started
bending my hand back and then I jerked it away from him."
Roberts has filed a complaint with the Forrest County Sheriff's Office
against Bethel Academy.
But Fountain gives a different account of what happened. He says it was
last Thursday, and he tried to restrain Angenika after she lashed out.
"She bit my arm right here. I've got a bruise right here," he says.
"She kicked me in the chest and in the legs and I just held her down
until she calmed down."
Fountain says Angenika was not injured during Thursday's incident, but
instead had to be taken to the e-room Saturday after she injured
herself.
"Mr. Fountain needs to pay for his actions," Roberts insists. "He needs
to be put in jail for his actions. It makes no sense for a man to do
those types of things to these children. I don't care what type of
children they are."
srabner
Interesting story... when will it end? Around and around we shall go, where
it stops, no one knows. How do you fit into all this?
Sam
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