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June 11, 2004
DHS Releases
Information Involving Claims of Abuse at Girls Home
Associated Press
State officials
have released reports that include claims by some residents at the
Bethel Girls Academy that they were subjected to physical and verbal
abuse.
The reports,
made public this week by the Department of Human Services, include
interviews with some of the 38 girls who were removed from the
private home near Petal in mid-May.
Herman Fountain
Jr., Bethel's director, has repeatedly denied any allegations of
abuse. No charges have been filed in the case.
DHS spokesman
Rick Whitlow said his agency has not provided parents with details
of the investigation. The DHS reports did not include the names and
ages of those interviewed.
DHS records show
the interviews took place May 19, the same day the girls were taken
from the home on the order of Forrest County Youth Court Judge
Michael McPhail.
Among the
allegations brought by those questioned was the claim of one girl
who said students were made to jump into a "sewage pond," and were
required to exercise "until you cannot breath (sic) or you vomit."
The girl also said Fountain called the girls derogatory names when
he got angry.
Another girl
claimed Fountain sat on her head and that she was hit by Fountain
"on the back of her leg with a mop handle." As a form of punishment,
the girl said she had to listen to preaching tapes for hours.
Another girl
claimed that some of the mistreatment was done by "leaders," girls
who had been at the academy longer and were in charge of newer
residents.
Several girls
told of a March 29 incident in which Fountain allegedly threw a
table and chairs at them after about 15 girls had gone on strike to
protest the way they were being treated.
Carolyn Stewart,
whose 16-year-old daughter was one of the girls removed by DHS
officials, said Thursday she questioned the accuracy of the agency's
investigative reports.
"My daughter has
told me that while she was being interviewed by DHS, the social
worker would twist her words around," said Stewart, of New Port
Richey, Fla. "These people came into her home (Bethel) and twisted
her words around. Now they are trying to use this twisted
information to build a case."
Stewart said she
wasn't notified that her daughter was being questioned or removed
until well after the child had been taken from the home.
Meanwhile, the
attorney representing parents of three girls removed from Bethel
said that a date for a postponed hearing before McPhail has not been
rescheduled.
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