Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => New Info => Topic started by: Watchaduen on September 18, 2003, 11:35:00 AM

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on September 18, 2003, 11:35:00 AM
I had placed my son there on Mother's Day, 2003. My husband drove our son there while I sat home second guessing our decision. I began searching the internet for anything I could find on this place or it's owner's Herman Fountain or John Fountain. I found all kinds of allegations of abuse and torture on the kids. 3 1/2 days later we were back down there rescuing our son. He was covered in bruises inlcuding a black eye. Because we showed up unannounced he was able to smuggle out the names and numbers of three other boys. We also called their parents. Within 5 days the other three boys had been rescued also. We all met with the Attorney General's Office (Mike Moore). We were assured they would open a full blown investigation. A week later the state went in and removed all the children with visible signs of abuse to the face or neck. That is the only part of the body they could see. Two weeks later another 16 boys ran away. 8 ended up in protective custody and the other 8 ended up at a former drill instructors house. All with stories of abuse and torture, sleep, food and water deprivation. Three days before our Court date to testify (August 26th, 2003) we get a call from the Head of Crim. Inv. that the State worked out yet another deal with Bethel. Bethel will no longer use electrical shock for torture, will no longer make the children go to the bathroom on themselves, will feed them three times a day, will not slug them in the face. I could go on and on. We parents are now filing a Class Action Lawsuit. We will name the State of Miss. and Bethel Boys Academy.
If you were ever a student or parent of a student at Bethel, please e-mail me direct. This abuse and torture chamber has got to stop.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on November 03, 2003, 10:15:00 PM
email me at [email protected].....I was the nurse there.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on November 03, 2003, 10:19:00 PM
I was the nurse at Bethel for 2 months.....
email me privately please.  

[email protected]
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on November 03, 2003, 10:56:00 PM
I tried to e-mail you and the e-mail addy isn't any good.  If you would like to contact me directly, please do.  I would love to talk with you.
[email protected]

Cheryle
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on November 21, 2003, 12:48:00 AM
This woman runs the forum circuit spouting crap continually about Bethel.

I do not believe her, and if you do you are a gullible american that wants to believe the worst about everyone.

I guess she does not have ANYTHING constructive to do with her life otherwise.
 :???:
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on November 21, 2003, 02:02:00 AM
Which woman? Which forum? Can you give us a link?

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of it's victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busy-bodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those that torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C.S. Lewis, God In The Dock

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on November 27, 2003, 01:17:00 AM
http://pub57.ezboard.com/fwevebeenthere ... D=10.topic (http://pub57.ezboard.com/fwevebeentherefrm5.showMessage?topicID=10.topic)

http://www.drspock.com/discussion/messa ... 17,00.html (http://www.drspock.com/discussion/message/0,1812,112317,00.html)

http://pub57.ezboard.com/fwevebeenthere ... D=10.topic (http://pub57.ezboard.com/fwevebeentherefrm4.showMessage?topicID=10.topic)

http://www.hardtruth.net/abuse/forum/li ... ?postID=85 (http://www.hardtruth.net/abuse/forum/linear.php?postID=85)

She is really busy. Wonder would she be so brave if she had to unmask and give her name. I guess being anonomous has its benefits.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on November 27, 2003, 12:41:00 PM
Why do you doubt this lady? She's saying the same the same things everyone else is.

Real criminals walk free every day to rape, rob, and murder again because the courts are so busy finding consensual criminals guilty of hurting no one but themselves.... To free cells for consensual criminals, real criminals are put on the street every day.
Peter McWilliams

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on November 28, 2003, 10:11:00 PM
Thanks, I appreciate the added publicity.  It's the only way I can continue to find more victims of Bethel Boys Academy and Bethel Girls Academy.  Our lawsuit is "power in numbers".  One child lying.  Maybe two, three, four or five.  But 50?????  They weren't even there at the same times.  Nope.  Blows Bethel's defense right out the window.  Again, thanks for the free publicity and assistance in helping more victims sue Bethel.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on January 14, 2004, 10:56:00 PM
Sorry Whatuduen, you were RIGHT!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on January 15, 2004, 12:32:00 AM
Here are some more sites I have been popping up on.  Bethel's webmaster is doing everything in his power to stop me.  He has threatened websites to remove my posts.  I am not doing anything wrong by posting the facts as they happened to my son.

http://www.hardtruth.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279 (http://www.hardtruth.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279)
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Deborah on January 15, 2004, 08:35:00 AM
Go Girl!!
Rampant talking. Parents need to hear ALL stories, not just those designed to recruit.
Good luck with your efforts.
Add new updates to the Bethel thread in the Teen Help Industry forum:

http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?topic=2296&forum=9 (http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?topic=2296&forum=9)
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on February 15, 2004, 04:19:00 AM
I am certain Bethel's webmaster was probably brainwashed and under mind control. That operation over there is a weird place. I know people that have worked there. Herman is an abolute power stroking monster. He demands you loyalty or you are gone.

I mean, where else do you know of a place being run by an exconvict that is keeping children for God's sake!!

That fact alone is insane!

Whatuduen is right about Bethel. I believe one day whoever that poor smuck is that is Bethel's webmaster is going to wake up and regret going after everybody in the name of Herman!

There is too much smoke to not have a nice little fire burning underneath it.

Bethel is dirty, and the truth will come out!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on February 15, 2004, 04:25:00 AM
Everybody encourage whatuduen. She needs it. Herman turned his trained dog, aka webmaster loose and sent him after her and others that were simply telling the truth about Bethel.

I feel for that poor webmaster. I hope he is not too badly brainwashed. Herman has that affect on people.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on February 16, 2004, 10:22:00 PM
Mind you, I'm entirely uncredentialled. I consider myself a professional because, over the years, I've learned enough about net communications to be able to make a living at it.

That said, if you want to open a forum and keep it somewhat insulated from brute-force censorship, shop outside of the mainstream and outside of the US for a hosting provider. The exchange rate for Canadian or Finish currency will also work to your advantage. A small but competent hosting provider will not fear unjust reprisal so much as a big company because they have no assets worth going after, they value every customer as an individual and, maybe most importantly, it's the principle of the thing. They are the first to recognize that they live and die by actual freedom of speech.

Of course, if anyone wants a forum or web page on Fornits, I'm always happy for new business and generally give deep discounts to "good samaritan" efforts that are unlikely to make a lot of money. But that's sort of like putting all your eggs in one basket. So go forth and find/create new niches. This issue's time has come.

Everybody's lost just waiting to be found. Everyone's a thought just waiting to fade.
-- Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on February 20, 2004, 07:03:00 PM
I was the anonymous poster that attacked wachuduen (who I think is Cheryle, maybe) a few months ago. I was gung ho Bethel, gung ho Fountain.

Guess what, wachuduen, whoever she is, was and is right about Bethel. I had my eyes opened wide. It was not pretty!

I want to come forward and apologize for whatever I said to defame her.

She is on track, and really is not being as hard on Herman as he deserves.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on February 20, 2004, 08:55:00 PM
Thanks, I appreciate it.  But I knew all along I wasn't barking up the wrong tree concerning Bethel.  Too many victims have come forward - complete with medical documentation.  The victims go back to the day the place started up many years ago.  I now even have former employees who have plenty to say about what goes on behind closed doors.  This is even after their new backdoor deal with the State of MS.  Nothing has changed and Herman is still running the place. Bethel WILL be shut down forever.  Mark my words.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on February 22, 2004, 10:18:00 PM
There is yet another place where you can post information. This site is not a forum, but is a submit for post.

This guy is apparently trying to remain suit proof and has stringent guidelines for posting.

However, if people will work with him, looks like he wants to build a site where a lot of this factual evidence can be deposited for great reading to discourage more parents out of Bethel

http://www.freewebs.com/bethel-truth (http://www.freewebs.com/bethel-truth)

I really believe this guy is sincere, secretive, but sincere.

Check it out!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: cantget2me2004 on February 22, 2004, 11:26:00 PM
Herman father and Herman son have flip=flopped positions.  Herman Sr. is keeping the "letter" of the agreement but not the spirit.  He is now at Bethel Girls.  surprise, surprise-- in the last couple of months there has been almost a 100% staff turnover.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on February 28, 2004, 02:42:00 PM
Why won't the state of Mississippi actually do something? I am very concerned.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on February 28, 2004, 05:15:00 PM
How about massive pay-offs?  People in high places are paid to look the other way.  This has been proven with the last investigation.  Obviously I can't go into specifics as the lawsuit is building momentum.  When I rescued my son, we sat in on a meeting at the Attorney General's office.  Every department was there, Social Services, Family Services, Health Dept., etc.  Each dept. also had their own lawyer.  Yet, when it was all said and done, nothing happened.  Even when the State raided the place, it was botched to the hilt.  Only 13 boys were removed.  Yet we have victims that were there when the State came in.  Those boys were still stuck there.  Miss. has some huge problems and I am sure they thought we victims would just go away - like they have all those other years.  Well I am here to tell you - Bethel FUCKED with the wrong MOM this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 19, 2004, 10:56:00 PM
You have to understand that Herman's attorney was a former deputy DA in Miss. He (Herman's attorney) has friends in very high places since he (Herman's attorney)used to WORK FOR MIKE MOORE, the DA of Miss!

 :eek: SOOOO convienient isn't it that Herman found that attorney....is it coincidence or what???/
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 21, 2004, 05:52:00 PM
Everyone should read the consent decree signed by Bethel and the State of Miss. last August. It is, of course public record.

http://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/ch ... Decree.htm (http://www.ago.state.ms.us/divisions/children/Bethel_Consent_Decree.htm)
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on March 22, 2004, 10:51:00 AM
Ok, this is good. It's not bad. But don't get too, too excited. Near the end of the document, you'll fine this:


The Defendants shall comply with all applicable laws of the state of Mississippi ...


Well now! Now that the court has ordered it, now they'll surely start obeying the law, right kiddies?

If they've been breaking the laws of Mississippi, then why aren't they facing criminal prosecution and sentencing according to the laws of Mississippi?

I recall a similarly silly bit of legaleze a couple of years ago. Some congresscritters passed through (or tried, I really don't remember offhand) a law that would require lawyers working for the Atty General's office to, now get this, to abide by the laws of the states in which they were practicing. See, there had been a problem where DOJ lawyers had been flagrantly violating laws pertaining to the practice of law. Not that they didn't know it, just that they deemed themselves above the law. Do you think this new edict has changed their minds about that?

As de dawg chases his tail...

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid
of the dark. The real tragedy of life is
when men are afraid of the light.
--Plato

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 26, 2004, 06:25:00 PM
Great Reply!

In my humble but seasoned opinion, I think my reasons for suggesting we read the consent decree are as follows:

1) The decree outlines the charges against Bethel. They had to be legitimate CHARGES. The state would throw out such charges if they found those charges to be trumped up, vague or not able to be proved. By virtue of the decree, all the evidence, testimony of the witnesses etc. is invalidated for future use if my understanding of double jeopardy is correct. I cannot be positive of that unless the judge executed this using a legal mumbo jumbo term known as "with prejudice". That would mean Bethel cannot be charged or tried criminally for these same accusations again.

2) Bethel had (?) a ZERO tolerance for abuse policy in affect prior to the events that prompted the decree.

3) The decree is basically a "no fault" document. The state of Miss made some greivious accusations based on something (you do not simply accuse people of such without valid evidence). But whoa, pardner, the get out of jail free card. The statement in the decree that states Bethel neither admidts to or denys the allegations. Wow! What a break! Even better, the state basically says y virtue of its actiosn and the decree itself OK, here are the charges. You (Bethel) do not have to admit or deny them. We as the state will not pursue them to acertain thier accuracy or error through the normal channels of discovery, further investigation and a trial before a jury.

As I said, it is a no fault document. The state does not act to prosecute, the alleged defendant does not have to admit or deny any wrongdoing even though there was a COMPELLING body of then current and past historical evidence that should have forced the state to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Furthermore, the witnesses that the state could have brought forward will never get to tell thier stories. The decree muted all of them, thier stories and facts relating to whatever happened to them while in the custody of Bethel. Again, this testimony could have cleared Bethel or nailed them to the wall. That is the injustice for society and potentially a break for Bethel if they were in fact guilty.  We will simply never know.

4) The decree buys them time, gives them specific directions how to stay out of the soup that brought them to the decree signing to start with. How many other people that have such evidence brought up against them get this kind of break? I thought the law was for protection of those that abide by it and for the punishment of those who do not! And, look, even if Bethel were as clean as a little babys freshly changed behind, no one will ever have a verdict from a jury of thier peers rhat heard the evidence and ruled "guilty" or "not guilty". This is what the citizens of Lucedale, Mississippi, the parents and children that are alleged victums and society in general have been denied through this path taken with the decree settlement.

5) The extreme irony is the fact that the state basically formulated a "don't screw up again policy" in the decree where detailed requirements for actions, procedures, personnel and monitoring were spelled out in great detail for the Bethel management. I mean, this is great for Bethel. Not only did they not get shut down and all go to prison, but they got off and the state, at the state's expense, wrote them an operating framework and policy. I guarantee you an independent consultant would have charged Bethel a pretty penny for doing the work of putting the instructions together the state did in the decree. You may say there were court costs and attorney fees, well consider this, Bethel is still in operation recieving their fees for every child on campus. I would certainly pay for a lawyer and court costs if the other option was out of business and in jail for some number of years.

5) The decree is not a document that is harsh on Bethel. Some people may say "boy they really smacked them". Well. not really. This is a document that serves a purpose, but for the life of me I cannot understand what actions or relationships or whatever caused this document to come into existence to begin with. The decree is designed to appease the state and "discipline" Bethel. Yet, again, where is the "bite"? There is no fine to my knowledge. There is no jail time or probation that I know of? Where is the swift and firm hand of justice in all this? Again we have been denied the right as a society for our elected officials to pursue justice and clarity when such serious allegations are lodged against an organization or person such as Bethel was accused of.

5) The decree has a time limit on it. In August of 2006 Bethel can petition the court and have the decree annuled, as I understand it.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on March 26, 2004, 08:18:00 PM
Just wanted to mention that none of the victims were ever consulted about that backdoor deal the State of MS. made with Bethel.  As a matter of fact all the victims (17 of them, YES 17 brutalized children) were to be back down in MS. on Aug. 26th to testify.  The Attorney General's office assured us that Bethel would be closed down.  After Bethel was shut down they would then file criminal charges.  We were told that.  Two days before court we get a call from the Head of the Integrity Div.  He informed all the victims and their families to not come and that the State had worked out yet another deal.  That isn't okay, nor is the fact that some corrupt judge decided Bethel shouldn't be held accountable to the same laws the rest of the citizens are.
  We victims have our own lawsuit now.  We will be heard.  Just because a corrupt judge made a piece of paper full of lies doesn't mean we victims should take all of our medical, physical and emotional evidence and throw it out the window.  We will prevail.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on March 26, 2004, 08:32:00 PM
Thank you.

First, there's been some really decent discussion around here about the relative virtues and flaws of various shades of capitalism to socialism. I think this situation well illustrates one of the pitfalls of the more socialist policies.

Quote
They had to be legitimate CHARGES. The state would throw out such charges if they found those charges to be trumped up, vague or not able to be proved.


That's not really a hard rule of thumb. In Tulia Texas, something completely ordinary and mudane happened. The local area taskforce hired a gypsy cop to make a bunch of busts. Some local threw a monkey wrench in the works, though, when he started beating the war drums and coordinating w/ activists accross the country to set things right.

Turns out, the cop had NO credibility, no evidence, no wittnesses and had been facing criminal larceny charges in the last town he "worked". All of the convictions but one have now been overturned, Tom Coleman is facing purjory charges and there's even talk of holding some of his superiors accountable for their crimes. And these were high crimes. People lost years of their lives. In many cases, it was those years when their babies started turning into adults.

But the only thing unusual about Tulia is that a bunch of activists have stayed on the case like stink on shit over the course of years to make things right and set an example. Otherwise, this happens all the time. People go to prison for years and years on the strength of no evidence but some snitch testilying for pay of some sort.

It depends on what you're accused of and whether or not you fit the role. This, I think, owes in large part to the sheer volume of cases threatening to squash what used to be the most admirable criminal justice system in the world. It's a great system, but it depends heavily on dilligance, public scrutiny and strict adherance to the law of the land, including all those naggling limits on Federal and State powers. So the end result is that there's so much going on, so many cases, so many laws that no one has the time to keep track of it all, far less give a reasoned opinion. Nobody's watching! This leaves far too much discretion in the hands of the prosecutors.

23 yo poor Black woman accused of selling crack? Guilty. Let's get this overwith. Preacher who works w/ troubled youths? Cut him some slack! How can we make this go away so this good man can get back to his good work?

That's they way career enforcers tend to think when left to their own devices. We need to cut their workload down to something we, the people, can properly manage and supervise. They should not be left to get creative while we're not looking!

And I've seen this before. Many times. The Seed and various Straights have been given similar admonishments by various regulatory and law enforcement agencies. Ask around and people will tell you about times when motivating or beltlooping were banned or, for very brief times before a place closed or things went back to normal once the heat was off, no restraining.

I agree w/ you completely, though. The primary value of this document is that, given the current political climate toward youth and the troubled parent industry, this at least demonstrates smoke of the variety that usualy indicates fire. It's bound to get some people's attention. What they do from there is yet to be seen.

Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
--Anonymous

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 26, 2004, 10:07:00 PM
Antigen gets it right yet again!

Bethel's boss could be percieved as a good preacher man needing to get back to doing his good works.

Rub is, as Antigen so well pointed out is where there is smole there is going to be fire.

The "good preacher" in this situation is a convicted felon. He has been at the center of controversy for years. Allegations of child abuse, employee abuse, and so forth and so on.

If this little "deal" the State made with him was the result of thier first experience with him, OK, so be it. I am not one to say slam a guy hard his first screw up.

But Team, the Reverend involved here is chronically involved in situations where his responses have kept him in trouble with the state and the law.

There is literally a TON of stuff out there, forums and antiabuse sites where letters have come from middle aged men and women that were inmates of the BetHELL homes.

I am a strong advocate of forgiveness and forgetting, but we cannot forget the history of the place called Bethel Academy. There must be some accounting by them for the accusations that have been forthcoming for over a quarter of a century.

In closing in my opinion(dislaimer)

The consent decree is a travesty, a gross miscarraige of justice and certainly smacks of possible corruption at some level.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Antigen on March 27, 2004, 10:29:00 AM
Quote
On 2004-03-26 19:07:00, Anonymous wrote:

In closing in my opinion(dislaimer)

The consent decree is a travesty, a gross miscarraige of justice and certainly smacks of possible corruption at some level.


Yes, and it's par for the course, unfortunately. We're not going to start seeing real justice again in this country till we pare down the courts' workload to real crimes. That will put a lot of lawyers and others out of work. But what the hey, they're smart people, they can learn some useful trade or bag groceries at Wallmart or something.

As your attorney, it is my duty to inform you that it is not important that you understand what I'm doing or why you're paying me so much money.  What's important is that you continue to do so.
--Hunter S. Thompson's Samoan Attorney

Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on May 20, 2004, 05:27:00 PM
Looks like Bethel Girls Academy, Petal, MS. has more abuse allegations coming their way.  Both Bethel Girls and Bethel Boys Academy are owned and operated by the Fountains.  Once an abusive compound always an abusive place.
Here's the article where ALL THOSE VICTIMS were removed.
Sheriff says girls moved from Bethel Home in Petal

The Associated Press

PETAL ? About 40 teenage girls have been removed from a privately run, at-risk home in Petal and the case was turned over to the Forrest County Youth Court.

The girls were transferred Wednesday night from the Bethel Home to an undisclosed location for their safety, said Sheriff Billy McGee.
State Department of Human Services spokesman Rick Whitlow said Thursday the agency would have no comment.

?We?re referring all inquiries to the youth court in the county,? Whitlow said.

Under Mississippi law, Youth Court proceedings are confidential.

Sheriff Billy McGee said several state agencies ? including DHS, the attorney general? office and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality ? were at the privately owned facility for teenage girls for most of the day Wednesday.

?Apparently, the state received some complaints regarding some sort of mistreatment of the girls,? McGee said. ?I really don?t know what those complaints are, we were just called in to provide security and to transport the girls to a different location.?

The sheriff said that the parents of the girls were being notified to come and pick up their children.

?Until they are picked up from that location, they are under the custody of DHS,? he said. ?Overall, there are about 30-40 kids involved.?

McGee said the Bethel Home is located in Petal, near the Jones County line. He said the facility was operated by a church but he was not sure which one.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on May 23, 2004, 12:16:00 AM
A year to the month since Bethel Boys was raided for allegations of abuse(with witness poised to testify until the state cut Herman a deal) Bethel Girls has been raided, allegations once again lodged against Bethel (this time the Girls home)with 40 or so girls removed by the state. according to a recent Clarion Ledger article.

Fountain is simply put, not a man of integrity. He should be put totally out of business at a minimum. Since he is forbidden from being on site at Bethel Boys, rumor has it he has been meddling at Bethel Girls. Ironically, in less than six months of HIS meddling Bethel Girls has been raided!!!

People, it is time this stops! The State of Mississippi needs to GET REAL and DO something to this man and his opportunistic family (every Fountain in sight is employed at Beth Hell Boys or Girls!)
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on May 23, 2004, 12:28:00 AM
Wow! Anon above points out that once again in the sordid, jaded, murky past of Bethel Home, AKA Bethel Academy, AKA Bethel Girls Academy, there si yet ANOTHER raid, ANOTHER set of allegations of abuse!

HOW MANY TIMES DOES HISTORY HAVE TO REPEAT ITSELF BEFORE THESE PEOPLE GET SHUT DOWN AND SENT TO PRISON!!!!!!!!!

CHERYLE, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. KEEP US ADVISED.
THAT IS JUST WHAT HERMAN WANTS THE LEAST-CLEAR CONSISE REPORTING OF HIS DIRTY DEEDS.

THESE COMMENTS ARE BASED ON 1)HISTORY 2)PRIOR RECENT ALLEGATIONS (MAY 2003) AND YET ANOTHER NEW CHAPTER IN THIS PITIFUL SAGA IN MAY 2004, 1 YEAR TO THE MONTH (AS THE OTHER WRITER COMMENTED)SINCE THE LAST ALLEGATIONS AND STATE DEAL.!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on May 23, 2004, 12:54:00 AM
Check out this link. It is the Clarion Ledger latest article on the new raid at Beth-Hell Girls Home

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 350&Ref=AR (http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73172385733962&Avis=D0&Dato=20040521&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=405210350&Ref=AR)
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on June 04, 2004, 11:29:00 AM
Bethel hearing delayed

By Antoinette Konz


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
A hearing before a Forrest County Youth Court judge on the removal of 38 girls from a Petal school for troubled teenagers has been postponed after an attorney for several parents said he had received new information in the case.

"Based on that information, we decided to ask for a continuance. I filed the motion this (Wednesday) morning," said Michael Reed, a Hattiesburg attorney representing three parents of students who attended Bethel. "I do not know at this point when the hearing will be continued."

The hearing, which stems from a multi-agency investigation of the Bethel Girls Academy which began May 19 was to have been before Judge Michael McPhail.

Reed would not comment on the nature of the information he received. He did say, however, that some parents of the girls have been notified about some of the allegations of abuse at the Bethel home, but he would not elaborate.

"I am unable to comment on the information at this time," he said. "I will be speaking with the parents later on today."

Reed had asked for the hearing last week on behalf of parents David Bakker of Chicago, Matthew Brown of Dallas and Jason and Lori Salo of Tacoma, Wash. The parents had said they wanted to ask the judge to reconsider removing the teenagers from the youth home.

Paul Walley, a Richton attorney representing Bethel Girls Academy and its director, Herman Fountain Jr., could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Walley and Fountain have denied any allegation of wrongdoing at the school.

Bakker, whose 12-year-old daughter was one of the girls removed from Bethel, said Wednesday that he had received some documents pertaining to the home's operation over the weekend. He did not elaborate.

"As far as the items I have received, I am not so sure about how credible or reliable they are. I still have a lot of questions," Bakker said. "I just don't know what to think right now."

Officials from the state Department of Human Services and the Attorney General's office were involved in the probe. Rick Whitlow, spokesperson with DHS, said Wednesday that his agency would not comment on the Bethel investigation.

The agency has refused to provide information on whether the facility was licensed, if it had been inspected and what the agency's policies and procedures are when it comes to monitoring facilities such as Bethel.

The Hattiesburg American filed a Public Records Act request on May 25 seeking the information. DHS has 14 business days from the filing date to respond.

Forrest County District Attorney Jon Mark Weathers said Tuesday that he has received two packets containing information about the investigation of the Bethel home. He would not elaborate on the contents.

"Based on what I have seen, it merits further investigation," he said. "But I have certainly not made the conclusion that there was any violation of criminal law that took place at Bethel.

"Right now, we just need to go a little further in the investigation and try to determine the facts and the motivation of those who have made these allegations," Weathers said.

A meeting with a representative from the state Attorney General's office and Weathers is scheduled to take place on Friday, he said
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on June 20, 2004, 09:57:00 PM
What a strange world we live in! Now all of a sudden the state is backpeddaling AGAIN. What is it with Fountain and the State of Miss? Does he have pictures? Is he BLACKMAILING someone in a prominent position in the Miss. heiarchy?

Is Herman THAT slick he can keep on getting continuances and delays until he gets enough brainwashed parents and kids to get the Fountain Enterprise known as Bethel off the hook AGAIN? God only knows what it is going to take to EVER get justice!!!
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on June 20, 2004, 11:01:00 PM
Mississippi and Utah are second only to Texas when it comes to rampant disordered thinking.

 :roll:
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Devlin on June 23, 2004, 02:40:00 AM
the hearing was supporst to be for the parents who wanted to send their kids back to Bethel i belive
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on July 01, 2004, 11:44:00 PM
A couple of interesting details:

Fountian was seen recently at the Lucedale, MS Auction selling livestock

Fountain's van used to haul Bethel boys was seen on sale in the parking lot of a Lucedale grocery store. Phone numbers on the van-Bethel Academy AND Fountain's PERSONAL HOME NUMBER. Is there any separation of Fountain's personal finances and the home supposibly for "the boys". Be assured, all who are interested, Mr. Fountain does all he does for HIS WALLET. The boys are just a method to make money. Money used to buy chandeliers for the Fountain residences (Fountain's former home, now admin offices,) antiques and fineries for the Fountain clan.

It looks like there may finally be a kink in the money pipe. All the information flowing about this man and his abuse mills is finally revealing the truth? Bethel is Bethel wherever you find it. Don't be fooled by John Fountain's stories about the Hattiesburg Girls Bethel Home being independent. Herman is involved up to his eyeballs in that place. The Fountains are united and have one purpose to generate MONEY!!

Is it possible the truth is finally hitting him in the WALLET?

Also, a sighting was reported of Herman out in his pickup with some boys in the back of the truck. Is it possible he is violating the concent decree and still using Bethel boys as FREE LABOR?

If he is doing it, I am sure the state will continue to LOOK AWAY and ignore WHATEVER this man does as they have done for the last 15 or more years.

How charmed a life can one man have?
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on July 02, 2004, 11:34:00 AM
Fountian was seen recently at the Lucedale, MS Auction selling livestock


Well, at least we know why there is so much confusion as to whom the usage of cattle prongs is appropriate.  I guess that will be his defense as to why he shocks the boys/victims with cattle prongs.
"I'm sorry Judge, I honestly thought they were cows".
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: mikehunt on July 12, 2004, 09:13:00 AM
cheryle,
i am putting together a collective of stories about unethical therapeutic experiences, i'd love to have you write a chapter in it... we need parental representation.
this school is still open, right?  either way, i need your help; we need to get these horrible institutions shut down to save these poor children.

email me @ [email protected]
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Watchaduen on July 12, 2004, 10:30:00 AM
Would be happy to help in anyway I can.  Will be e-mailing privately also.  When dealing with these child abuse compounds half of the crime is the parents that realize their child has been abused - to simply disappear into the sunset.  Now armed with the knowledge about the compound their child suffered at, they do nothing.  My eyes have been opened to a whole underworld of legalized child abuse.  When does it stop?  How many more kids must suffer?
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: schbiz on October 25, 2004, 12:03:00 PM
I know what Bethel was like because I was a cadet in the Academy for two years, and I worked for Herman Fountain for two years. I hear all these people who don't know jack about it, tell me what it was like. Let me tell you what it was like back in 2000, when I was in there. Keep in mind that these things which I am about to tell you are actual facts and events that took place while I was there.
Did teens get beat over there? Well that depends what you consider as a "beating," or should I call it "discipline?" Yes, I've seen teens get literally smacked in the face with a closed hand by the instructors. Hitting someone with a closed hand, as I recall, called child abuse.
If anyone wants to know more about Bethel Baptist Boys Academy in Lucedale and just wants to discuss any issues, please, I don't bite; feel free and contact me at my e-mail address:
[email protected]
I did not write this posting reply because I have nothing better to do with my time than to chat about meaningless battles about Bethel, but because everytime I get on this website, there's always someone telling someone else something that they've never experienced in the past themselves.  :oops:
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 20, 2006, 11:21:00 PM
i did a 6 month streach there back in "95" i guess before it got bad.
  i got to know the family well. even spent some time with Fountain Jr. in Michigan we became good freinds after my stay there. I havent been there recently.
 in my stay i rembered it as so called "abuse" was mild and i got the medical attention i needed as well as others that got hurt. we had free time, work time, school time.
  by the time i took my placement tests.... school was over. and i learned to work, and i still do now, as what i learned to do down there rough carpenter. so i was preaty busy with learning a trade and didnt see much "abuse" i guess i was a good kid but then again it was small then we had 8 including myself at one time when i got there was only 5 so there was really more of his family there than us. Nice Family i learned alot from those people and i dont feel brainwashed at all.
  i have made a good life for myself 11 years later, proud family of 2. still married.
   i was just browsing the net. for Mr.F and come across all this :cry2:  depressing really
 look every kid needs a smack in the face as i did myself. in my honest opinon id say he saved my life. buy teaching me about respect-foresight,and word of god. you know its sad to say
i regret trying to find an old freind.
thx
  yours truly
   "B"
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on May 12, 2006, 02:15:00 PM
What Whatchaduen is really honourable... both in respect to her son and every boy and girl that ever crossed their threshold.

The hardest thing I've ever done has been read the transcript of the lawsuit against Bethel Academy. I... I witnessed all those events, and many more. Earlier someone mentioned Herman Fountain loosing his webmaster hounds on someone...

For three years, that was me. But we didn't use... legal methods to get the slander away. What I was to do was much less clean and tidy. It's also illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

I was definitely troubled, there was no question of that. But after all I've seen, all I've heard, all I've covered up and shown... after all i've done and all that's said and done... I can't even get a job. I can't function, and I know I'm not the only one.

The atrocities enacted against these boys that I witnessed and experienced first hand... I cannot even begin to explain. But before you strike me as just a crying weakling, I ask that you read this.

I was a Cadet, and I remember everything. The truth can only be hidden, it can not be erased. All that happened will come to light... A light greater than has been seen.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on May 15, 2006, 01:07:00 AM
I was at Bethel in 1984. I was 15 years old at the time, i am now 37. I witnessed the abuse firsthand, and I don't care what anyone else says, I was there, I saw it, and lived through it. I have nothing to gain here, I don't have a lawsuit pending or any action against Bethel. I will say this, the things that I am hearing, and seeing here are tame . I can tell you true stories that are much worse. I was There in the early years, when Bro. Fountain(Herman) was in charge. Things were worse then, from what I am seeing posted about Bethel now. I have nothing to hide, my name is Michael Patterson Jr. and I now live in Nashville, Tn. Anyone who remembers me from Bethel, or anyone who has any questions can e-mail me at.... [email protected]
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: survivor122770 on August 31, 2006, 07:42:28 PM
you go whatchaduen, i was there when it was hardcore and it was hell. let me know if i can help in any way. it will probably never happen but i would love to sit across from them in a criminal court. screw a lawsuit i dont want their nasty dirty money. it has the blood of children on it. put it in their grave with them and let them all rot together.-mike cook-mike baldino- tom mcdonald-jesse velasquez-bubba fountain-herman fountain-john fountain was just a little boy but he was just as inbred as the rest of them- david owens-the list goes on. i hope a fountain reads this. try to shut me up you faggot bastards. pm me and prove it is you and i will give you my address so you can come face me as a grown man. i am not a boy no more. but you dont have the nuts to face a man all you can do is abuse little kids and use fear to control them. bring your whole inbred clan bitch and face me now. you couldnt even handle what i have to say much less .....................................................sorry everyone else i really am not a violent person, but i happen to feel strongly about the things he has done to me
Title: Bethel update lawsuit VICTORY!!!!
Post by: Watchaduen on January 30, 2007, 02:58:12 PM
Seymour man gets $900k in abuse claim
> Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT)
> December 14, 2006
> Author: MATTHEW HIGBEE mhigbee@...
> Estimated printed pages: 2
>
> SEYMOUR - A town man sentenced to 20 years in a psychiatric hospital
> for trying to kill his parents by burning down their house has won a
> $900,000 judgement against a southern military academy for troubled
> teenagers that he said tortured him. Joseph Gabriel Paolillo and his
> father, Joseph Peter Paolillo, won the judgement Monday against the
> Bethel Boys Academy, of Lucedale, Miss., in Mississippi federal
court.
> The elder Paolillo was awarded $59,709 in damages.
> Routine beatings and mental abuse from a drill instructor with a pit
> bull trained to bite in the crotch were alleged by the younger
> Paolillo, who was 17 when he went to Bethel in 1998.
>
> "They beat him viscously," his father said. "I feel relieved that
some
> satisfaction was given to my son, so he can seek professional
> treatment and counseling."
>
> Testifying from Whiting Forensic Institute in Middletown, the
> 25-year-old Paolillo described treatment at Bethel such as being
made
> to eat breakfast in 45 seconds and then roll around on the ground
> until throwing up. A drill instructor, William Knotts, would sic a
bit
> bull on cadets given a head start to run across a field, Paolillo
> testified. "I had bite marks on my groin," Paolillo said in his
> testimony. "That's basically where the dog generally bit."
>
> Paolillo was sent to Whiting after breaking into his parent's
> residence on Julie Drive in Seymour on Dec. 16, 2003, with a 5-
gallon
> can of gasoline and setting the dining room floor afire.
>
> Paolillo's attorney, George Yoder, said collecting on the judgement
> would be difficult because the Bethel Academy has since closed and
> apparently never had insurance.
> Section: Local
> (c) 2006 The Connecticut Post. All rights reserved. Reproduced with
> the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
Title: lucedale
Post by: muckieha on March 09, 2007, 12:27:43 AM
hello my name is mikey
i was there...
i was abused
my first day there mr knot broke 2 of the bones in my wrist they refused to let me call home they refused to take me to the docter
insted they made me do hundreds of push ups on the broken bones
i recently had a x ray the bones where snaped in half and do to me not bieng broght to a hospital and bieng made to do pushups in them they never heald  they grew apart. this causes me sever pain and limited use. i was given blanket parteys there where i was coverd and beeten. i was beaten every day no matter how good i was i was beaten. my knot used sick his pit bulls on us.
he would brab them by the skin on the back of ther neck and shake them until they would attack what ever was in front of them
and let them go on us. he even had a picture of me on there main web site. it was hell and i will never recover.
all they had was hate in there hearts. and now i have nothing in mine.
if you want to ask any quistions please let me know
my e mail is
[email protected]
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 09, 2007, 12:43:56 AM
Mikey,
Thank you for posting. Hopefully others who may have known you will write to you.  Sometimes that helps a lot. I hope you will continue to heal. I am so sorry for the abuse you suffered.
Title: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 09, 2007, 01:04:47 AM
MIKEY HAVE you thought of going to the authorities? the FBI the police journalists?
there are alotof people who could be interested...
and suing the indiviiduals i know is not as good as putting them in jail but it may be second to that
have you thought of that?
thankk you for posting. those peoplea re monsters
Title: It all comes out in the wash..
Post by: Anonymous on October 10, 2007, 03:38:24 AM
Life, when lived for God and others is a beautiful and productive thing.

I was involved at Bethel Academy from March to December of 03. During that time I saw a lot of things that troubled me. I became a nasty dirty word to some who thought Herman was paying me big bucks. I started his computer Training Program from scratch and then built his web site, beginning at 12.00 per hour (who hoo I was getting RICH, NOT!), then was busted down on trumped up charges and breach of my employment agreement to 9.00 per hour during the last 3 months.

I went there with pure motives, I left 9 months later, mentally caned and beaten, depressed and seriously considering suicide several times, but I did leave with my beliefs that God was good and people in trouble need help intact.

During this time and on into 04, the abuse, the deep depression and basic loss of confidence and motivation lead to financial problems so severe we lost our home and were within days of being homeless. God once again undertook to help us (my wife and I) dig out of the pit we had fallen in.

The abuse I suffered at Bethel myself alone, more than ANYBODY in the audience of this forum or anywhere else can even comprehend, makes me know of a certainty they abused and injured children both physically and mentally.

I defended Herman until I saw the real man he was. I do not know if he has repented of his sins, if not he as carried his abusive nature right down the road to City of Refuge Rehab he now is said to run.

I finid it an irony that the families they fleeced and laughed at have now won a 1 million $$ juggement against the Fountain Machine. I also find it ironic thier name has changed yet again for I think the 4th time since I was there, and it seems WWASPS, the teen help organization out of Utah is solely running Bethel now. Out of the frying pan into the fire? Could it be John Boy and Billy along with the other Hermanites have had to sell the place to satisfy this righteous judgement a judge  gave the abused parents and kids?

It would appear the Fountain dynasty has crumbled. Bubba, Hermans son that had Bethel Girls had to close it down over two years ago because the state took all his girls. Why? Allegations of Abuse!

Now it appears that Bethel is no more (correct me if I am wrong), WWASPS has it (frying pan to fire) and all the Fountains (Except Herman) may have actually had to get real jobs. Oh what a pity they could not continue getting 25,000+ a year out of parents to do little more for the kids than beat the heck out of them and feed them gulag grub. Not to mention the mediocre facilities, the school they attended on site and the dorms that they lived in. The cafeteria, if you want to call it that, had water running in the fireplace and into the room every time it rained. Is this a 25K per year program? Cobwebs in the dorms? It it worth 25K for that? Not to mention the mental and physical abuse either tendered by Bethel employees or over looked by employees when it was cadet on cadet beatings or abuse.

I am not bitter, but rather am wounded still so deeply that the thought of Herman makes me shake like a reed in the wind. This is a man that had a 16-17 year old minor cadet assistant to me wear a tape recorder to gain recordings of conversations myself and the young man had to formulate a smear program against me and fire me. My mistake was telling the truth. This is NOT what Herman would ever allow. His way, or the highway. While putting you out he always made sure to destroy and threaten you (as he did me, with lawyer letters threatening me with a suit if I told my story)

I ran into him out near the state line at a bank a little over a year ago and it still took me several days to recover from just seeing him and having him speak to me.

I am happy for the parents getting thier day in court and a measure of justice.

I pray Herman will repent, confess his chronic pattern of abuse against parents and cadets, then apologize to parents, children and employees he has damaged and marked for life.

Contact me if you like through my Employment Advisor and friend Rod Namdoog at [email protected] if you want to discuss more specifics.
Title: Tom and Debbie McCullough
Post by: Anonymous on October 25, 2007, 03:01:54 PM
Does anyone know what happened to Tom and Debbie?  When I left there, they always defended the Fountains and I thought they were my friends and godly Christians.  But I was very wrong.  Found out how they lied about me behind my back and supported everything the Fountains did.  I believe that they were very naive and probably were taken advantage of.  Does anyone know where they are?
Title: Bethel in the early 80's
Post by: Anonymous on November 02, 2007, 03:14:44 PM
I would really love to hear from anyone that was there in 1980-1981... I have so many memories.. good and bad... and have mixed emotions about all of them.  Does anyone remember MRS. Fountain?  Not a single peep about HER on the web...

[email protected]
Title: Re: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 10, 2009, 02:24:11 AM
I went there in 1996, I was 13 at the time. I turned 14 there in September and came home on December 1996. I would love to know what happened to that place. I didn't have a good experience there and will never forget it. Too much abuse has gone on and I'm surprised nothing has happened to that place yet.
Title: Re: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: Anonymous on March 14, 2009, 05:16:21 PM
Nevermind about nothing happening to them. Is there any way I can get a judgement too???
Title: Re: Bethel Boys Academy, Lucedale, MS.
Post by: bigjoey77 on January 25, 2012, 04:57:02 PM
My name is joe kennedy i was in bethel 97-98 and i knew joe p. I was also endlessly tortured and have often dreamed and hoped to see a bitch ass fountain one day. Fountains you cocksuckers will burn in a special place in hell u sick motherfuckers!!!!!! Ive often wonderes if we as in his punching bags would ever have a voice!!!!!! And ive also been dying for 15 years to talk to someone about this.i even had all four metacarpls broken in half by one of fountains proteges! Im not a lil boy anymore u sick bastards!!!!