Cops remove 88 children from a Bible study camp in Iowa as part of a human trafficking investigation: officials

Deputies in Iowa conducted a raid on a church and removed 88 children who were participating in a Bible study camp as part of a human trafficking investigation. The children, who were attending the Shekinah Glory Camp run by Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation, have been placed in protective custody by local agencies following the operation.

According to reports, deputies executed search warrants over the weekend and took the children to nearby Wapello Methodist Church to meet with child protection workers. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has placed the children in temporary foster care until they can be reunited with their parents or guardians.

The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation, established in 2018, was hosting a summer camp from June 8-29. The family behind the ministry denied the allegations of child abuse and endangerment, stating that their focus is on caring for individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Victor Bawi, whose parents run the ministry, explained that they provide food and care for both adults and children under their care. He mentioned that the children are separated from the adults, and boys and girls are kept separate. Bawi emphasized that the children were never in any danger or harmed during their time at the camp.

The camp reportedly attracts Christian teenagers from across the nation, offering a mix of Bible study and outdoor activities such as volleyball and soccer. Despite the allegations, Bawi maintained that the children were well taken care of and loved during their stay at the camp.

The operation involved multiple locations, including the camp in Columbus Junction and another site in Fredonia where the church provides assistance in finding housing. The investigation was carried out in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies and remains ongoing.

The church is led by two pastors from Burma, who are members of the Chin ethnic minority. Iowa has a significant Burmese population, with many refugees resettling in the state, fleeing the civil war in Myanmar. Columbus Junction, in particular, has a large number of Burmese residents, many of whom work in the Tyson’s Food Inc. meat packing plant.

The company has translators on-site to assist the Burmese workers, who make up a considerable portion of the plant’s workforce. Burma was recently included in the list of countries banned for entry to the US by the State Department, adding to the challenges faced by the refugee community in Iowa.