WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Children's Homes Under Investigation

Children's Homes Under Investigation

By Maggie Wade-Dixon
maggie@wlbt.net

An investigation is underway into allegations of child abuse and neglect at two church-based children's homes. It's not the first time this organization has run into trouble in how it deals with children.

In June 1988, state officials raided Bethel Children's Home and took custody of 72 children. Most of those children were from out of state. There were charges of mental and physical abuse. Some of the children said they were locked up and beaten. The founder of the school, Herman Fountain, spoke out about the allegations.

"The state did not call me to deal with children, God called me to deal with children, and the state is not going to stop me," said Fountain.

Some children were loyal, many believed brainwashed, and wanted to stay at Bethel.

"A kid does need to get whipped. I mean, that's what the bible says. I mean, it's obvious man, if you spare the rod, you spoil the child," said one student.

"We're running because we don't want to be sent to some nut house, we don't want the welfare to take over, we want to be here and we want to be with the word of God, which is the right way. So all these people are going to hell," stated another Bethel student.

A judge closed the home in 1990. It reopened in 1994 as Bethel Boys Academy in Lucedale. That home and one for girls in Petal, Mississippi, are now being investigated.

Ellen O'Neal, an assistant attorney general, says the probe stems from an incident concerning a child at one of the facilities. She also says the case is now in youth court. Law enforcement officers and workers with the state Department of Human Services have interviewed children over the last two weeks. We are told because Fountain operates as a religious organization, he is not licensed and DHS does not have jurisdiction.

The state health department wants the homes to close or comply with DHS licensing regulations. An attorney representing the schools says the children's home has complied with state regulations, and school leaders deny any abuse or neglect. And once again most of the children at the facilities are from out of state.