Police have removed 88 children from a Bible study camp in Iowa amidst abuse and human trafficking allegations.
Children taking part in the Shekinah Glory Camp in Columbus Junction, Iowa, were taken into protective custody following a police operation between June 12 and June 13.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office said they executed a search warrant after receiving reports concerning child abuse and endangerment.
Highlights
- Police removed 88 children from Shekinah Glory Bible study camp in Iowa amid abuse and human trafficking probes.
- The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant after reports of child abuse and endangerment.
- Children unable to return home were placed in temporary foster care during the ongoing multi-agency investigation.
- Camp leaders deny allegations; a minister's son claims the police report came from a discontented 15-year-old camper.
88 children have been removed from a religious summer camp amid a police investigation
Image credits: KWQC
Police are also conducting a human trafficking investigation, KWQC reports.
Child protection workers were at Wapello Methodist Church to meet the children when they were removed from the camp, run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation.
Those who could not be returned to their parents or guardians immediately were placed into temporary foster care, police said.
The summer camp, which cost $500, was supposed to run from June 8 to June 29, according to the ministry’s website.
No church leaders have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
The son of a minister at the camp has denied all allegations, claiming a 15-year-old boy phoned police because he didn’t like the camp.
Image credits: KWQC
Victor Bawi said none of the children, including the 15-year-old from Texas, had been harmed or endangered.
“We never harmed that child. We loved him,” Bawi told KWQC. “We bought him, like, $400 shoes, clothing, everything.”
“Of course I’m upset … hopefully this can be resolved soon,” he said.
“If they want to investigate, they can investigate. We're innocent,” Bawi added. “They're not going to find anything. Never abuse anyone.
“You can ask the children as well, they were having fun. During the scene where they took away the children, they were crying.
Image credits: KWQC
“One of my sisters, they had to give her oxygen. She wasn't breathing. She was sad.”
Bawi said he hoped that the children could come back to the camp, which was set up for Christian teenagers from all over the country, and added that the ministry had spoken to parents.
A translated statement on the ministry’s website regarding the camp reads: “Is there anything in your life that you cannot overcome?
“Are you worried about your health? Do you want to go to the next level in your relationship with the Lord? That's good news for you!”
The investigation remains ongoing and involves multiple agencies
“Come to Shekinah Glory Camp and participate in what the Lord is doing through the power of the Holy Spirit through the man of God in Australia, teacher Rual Cung.
“You will never be the same.
“You will see the Lord's work that you have never experienced or seen in your life,” it adds.
According to the New York Post, the Bawi family are members of the Chin ethnic minority, originally from Myanmar, formerly Burma.
The ongoing investigation involves a multitude of agencies and law enforcement, including the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Columbus Junction Police Department.