Authorities in Iowa have removed 88 children from a church camp as part of what they described as a child safety operation.
The children were taken from the Shekinah Glory Camp, which is run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation in Columbus Junction. The operation took place last week, according to a statement from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.
Victor Bawi, whose family operates the camp, told local news station KWQC that no child had been harmed at the camp.
Background on the Camp
The Shekinah Glory Camp was scheduled to run from June 8 to June 29. The camp is operated by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, which was founded in 2018. According to its website, the group’s mission is to help people overcome addiction through faith, and to provide food, shelter, and support during fasting and prayer.
Details of the Operation
The sheriff’s office said the operation took place at two locations in Columbus Junction on June 12 and June 13. It was carried out with help from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Columbus Junction Police Department. The search was in response to reports of child abuse and endangerment.
During the operation, the children were moved to Wapello Methodist Church. There, they met with child protection workers. The children were either reunited with their parents and guardians or placed in temporary foster care until they could be reunited.
Bawi told KWQC that a 15-year-old camper from Texas had contacted authorities because he did not want to be at the camp. Bawi said the camp serves Christian teenagers from across the country. “We never harmed that child. We loved him,” Bawi said. “We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.”
In another interview with WQAD, Bawi added, “If they want to investigate, they can investigate. We’re innocent. They’re not going to find any abuse or anything like that. We never abused anyone. You can ask any of the children as well. They were having a fun time.” He also said, “We hope that the children are well and that they can come back.”
The Investigation
So far, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing.
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