Nearly 100 Children Removed From Iowa Bible Camp in Human Trafficking Investigation
Nearly 100 children were removed from an Iowa Bible camp after a police raid as part of a human trafficking investigation, according to reports from KWQC and The New York Post. Authorities executed a search warrant at the Shekinah Glory Camp, operated by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation, over the weekend.
Details of the Raid
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services led the operation, removing 88 children from the camp. The children were taken to the Wapello Methodist Church, where child protection workers interviewed them. They are currently in temporary foster care while officials work to reunite them with their families.
Search warrants were also executed at a second location about two miles away, where the ministry provides housing assistance for adults. The investigation involves multiple agencies, including the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Columbus Junction Police Department.
Ministry Denies Allegations
The owners of the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation have denied any wrongdoing. Victor Bawi, whose parents run the ministry, stated that the camp provides care for children and adults struggling with addiction.
“We take care of adults and children who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, nicotine,” Bawi told WQAD8. “We separate the children from the adults, provide food, and care for them.”
Bawi claimed that the investigation may have been triggered by a disgruntled teen who no longer wanted to attend the camp. “We never harmed that child. We loved him,” he said. “We bought him $400 shoes, clothing, everything.”
Ongoing Investigation
The summer camp was scheduled to run from June 8 to June 29. Authorities have not released specific details about the allegations but confirmed that the investigation is still active.
Opinion: While it’s important to take allegations of human trafficking seriously, it’s also crucial to ensure due process for those accused. If the ministry is innocent, this raid could have lasting consequences for their reputation and the children involved. However, if wrongdoing is found, swift action must be taken to protect vulnerable individuals. Authorities must balance thorough investigation with compassion for all parties involved.
