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Oprah's school under scanner for
girl child abuse
October 31, 2007
 Los
Angeles: A criminal investigation is under way into allegations of
misconduct at the school Oprah Winfrey opened for girls in South
Africa - allegations that reportedly drove the talk show host to
tears.
South African police confirm to CNN
they have opened a criminal investigation after the allegations
surfaced at Winfrey's leadership academy for girls near
Johannesburg.
Investigators wouldn't say if the
abuse is physical or sexual but they say no charges have been filed
as yet.
WALK THE TALK? Oprah Winfrey says
she'll
do whatever she can to ensure the children's
well-being.
Both school officials and Winfrey
have commented little on the alleged scandal. Winfrey, who's spoken
publicly about her own abuse as a child released this statement on
her website saying, "Nothing is more serious or devastating to me
than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the
academy."
The CEO of Winfrey's leadership
academy also said they had "initiated an internal inquiry based on a
claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent ”who is no longer
on campus. and that South Africa's child protection services have
been notified. US and South African investigators are also involved
when Winfrey visited the school this month.
According to South African news
outlets, the talk show queen was so distraught over the allegations
she tearfully apologized to parents and students during an emergency
meeting.
Earlier this year, during the
opening of the famed $40-million private academy, a beaming Winfrey
told CNN this is what she was born to do.
"The dream for me would be to
create a school that I would want to attend,” she said.
The crisis has now put Winfrey on
damage control as she vows to do everything possible "to ensure the
safety and well being" of her students, some of South Africa's
poorest.
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