Parents would expect their kids to be safe from harm at a christian boarding school but at one Alabama school reports state otherwise. A number of children have come out to speak against Dr. Jack Patterson who is the founder of Reclamation Ranch Christian Boarding school in Blount County, Alabama. He’s been accused of beating and torturing several children at the school and is set to go on trial March 10, 2010.
Read the story and watch the video below:
According to EURWEB:
*Dr. Jack Patterson, founder of the Christian boarding school, Reclamation Ranch, goes on trial for aggravated child abuse March 10 in Blount County Alabama.
The trial comes two years after a 17-year-old male resident came forward with charges of severe abuse, torture and beating.
“The search by law enforcement and the questioning of involved minors yielded corroboration of the original allegations and evidence of other instances of mistreatment,” said Blount County District Attorney Tommy Rountree, in a Birmingham News article. One report said investigators seized handcuffs and shackles from the facility, and as the clip mentions handguns and rifles were also present.
Ultimately, eleven juvenile boys were sent home from Reclamation Ranch pending the outcome of the investigation. Jack Patterson was at the courthouse when Alabama Circuit Court Judge Steve King made the ruling. He wasn’t alone – about 200 of his supporters came out that day. A handful of those gathered, according to the Birmingham News, blew Dr. Jack kisses as he looked down from a second story window
at 10:34 am
Newsflash, ANGEL!
I just got word that Jack Patterson (according to his announcement on his web-site( will be appearing before a Blount Co. judge this coming MONDAY to accept a plea bargain for a conviction of the class c misdemeanor of VERBAL HARASSMENT with a $500 fine. I’ve tried to e-mail you additional info, but my messages keep coming back as undeliverable. I HAVE the link to the announcment, but, like my first comment I tried to post here, I fear that it will still be awaiting moderation and not get posted. What else can we do?
at 9:56 am
Angel,
If I’m understanding correctly, my previous comment is still awaiting moderation. I’m glad that you’re taking time to review all the links I forwarded. I’m sure you will agree that they are quite morbid and disturbing. Our experiences at New Bethany and other places just like it need to be revealed so as to inform parents who are thinking about handing their “unruly” children over to someone else’s care, merely because they claim to be a Christian, they need to thoroughly research any facility they may be considering. Again, thanks for helping us get the word out there.
at 9:41 am
Hi Angel – thank you for linking to my piece. I wrote this with the help of some very courageous survivors of homes much like these. Please, let your listeners know that there are many more of these places operating right now, using God as leverage to abuse children and turn a profit. Again, thank you for helping get the word out! http://www.akopsa.wordpress.com Andy Kopsa
at 8:51 am
Angel,
Thank you for reporting this. There is no excuse for abuse of people in the name of religion. These type of boarding schools have been around for decades and have done much more harm than good.
I know, I was at such a “home” called New Bethany in 1974. The place is now closed, thankfully, but only after state raids and testimony from former residents.
The trouble is, people don’t often believe the child placed there because of the snow job from the directors and staff.
Abuse is abuse, and nobody deserves it.
Not even in the name of “God”.