Authorities in Iowa have removed 88 children from a church-run summer camp as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged child abuse, endangerment, and potential human trafficking.
The operation took place on June 12 and 13, following multiple reports of suspected abuse, according to The New York Post and local news outlet KTTC.
Victor Bawi, the son of one of the church’s ministers, denied any wrongdoing, stating that the church “strenuously denies any accusations of abuse or trafficking of any kind.” No arrests have been made at this time.
Speaking to WQAD News 8, Bawi explained the camp’s mission: “What we try to do is take care of adults and children who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, nicotine. We provide food and care for them. The children are separated from the adults, and boys and girls are also kept apart.”
Bawi added that the camp includes Bible study and recreational activities such as volleyball and football. He claimed the investigation was prompted after a 15-year-old boy from Texas called authorities because he did not want to stay at the camp. “We never harmed that child,” Bawi said. “We loved him.”
The camp, known as Shekinah Ranch, was being hosted by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, an organization founded in 2018 and run by two pastors originally from Burma. The summer camp was scheduled to run from June 8 to June 29 in Columbus Junction, Iowa.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Monday via Facebook confirming that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Columbus Junction Police Department.
“This operation was based upon information and reports regarding child abuse and endangerment,” the statement read.
Authorities said the children were initially taken to a local church and later placed in temporary foster care before being reunited with their parents. The investigation remains ongoing.