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By BRAD CROCKER
Mississippi Press Staff
07/03/03
Attorney General Mike Moore is seeking to close a residential home for more than 100 troubled juveniles in George County following several months of investigation into alleged abuse.
Moore announced Wednesday his office has filed a complaint in George County Chancery Court asking the court to close Bethel Boys Academy, located at 2147-A Mill St., in Lucedale.
In addition to closing the 25-year-old facility, Moore is seeking the removal of the children from the care, custody and control of Bethel Boys Academy and placing them in the custody of their parents or legal guardians, the Mississippi Department of Human Services or any other entity chosen by the court.
Moore also wants the defendants to not be allowed to operate Bethel Boys Academy or any other children's home. The state is also seeking unspecified relief to be determined by the court and that an expedited hearing be held.
Thirteen boys were removed from the home on May 23 following allegations of abuse. On June 8, eight boys ran away from the academy shortly after the AG investigation was launched and reportedly were turned over to DHS or their parents.
Moore's office began investigating the facility when allegations surfaced, but he did not mention why the injunction requests were filed.
"It is the duty of this office to protect the best interests of all the children in the state. Therefore, we believe it's imperative to bring this matter before the court," Moore said in a prepared statement.
Bethel Boys Academy administrator John Fountain could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but employees at the home said the boys had not been removed or the facility closed.
Fountain, the son of academy founder Herman Fountain, took over operations two years ago. He has repeatedly denied abuse allegations.
But this is not the first time Bethel Boys Academy, which is operated by Bethel Baptist Church of Lucedale, has had the state get involved with the facility's goings-on.
In June of 1988, 72 children were removed from the home after the welfare department investigated a runaway's claim of excessive beatings and a boot-camp type regimen.
In 1980, there were 36 children removed by the welfare department. No charges were filed and the children were returned.
Last October a 16-year-old boy complained of abuse, which resulted in DHS employees interviewing more than 60 children and staff members. At the close of that investigation no charges were filed and no children were removed.
George County Chancery Clerk Clayton Howell said late Wednesday afternoon he had not seen the complaint and that a hearing has not been set.
Boys who end up in the academy are often products of broken homes, drugs, run-ins with the law or other reasons and can stay there as long as 12 months.
They're placed either by court order or their parents.
Brad Crocker can be reached at 934-1431 or bcrocker@themississippipress.com.