Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > News Items

Earth Services / The House Next Door

(1/10) > >>

wdtony:
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/gu ... -terpening


More sex charges for former youth director


32-year-old Michael Terpening

Updated: Tuesday, 30 Aug 2011, 6:07 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Aug 2011, 8:54 AM EDT

BELLEVUE, Mich. (WOOD) - A youth home director already facing 11 charges of molesting boys from the home is expected to face new charges after a fifth victim came forward on Monday, state police said.

The latest victim's allegations are similar to the others: That Michael Terpening sexually assaulted him in his position as executive director of Earth Services -- a camp near Bellevue, between Hastings and Battle Creek, meant to help troubled boys by allowing them to work on a farm, police said.

The state Department of Human Services licensed the youth home for 15 boys, ages 10 to 17. Many are troubled; some were ordered there by the courts, police said.

"I'd equate it to a predator operating in an environment in which he held all the cards and had a lot of control over the targets that he was after," State Police 1st Lt. Chuck Christensen told 24 Hour News 8 on Tuesday. "They were there to try and get on the right path, and he took advantage of that in his position."

The investigation began in May, after an alleged victim told a board member of Earth Services that Terpening had sexually assaulted him.

Earth Services, also known as The House Next Door, is a tax-exempt non-profit organization that works with "at-risk teens," according to IRS tax records. In 2009, it spent more than $142,000 in programing.

"Each teen is provided counseling, education and each teen is assigned a rescue animal, making it their responsibility to care for another life," the tax filing states.

The state police investigation uncovered a second alleged victim, leading to a total of nine charges, ranging from fondling to sexual penetration.

Two more boys later came forward, leading to charges No. 10 and 11. Terpening was arraigned on those charges on Monday and released on a $300,000 bond.

Then, on Monday, a fifth victim reached out to police, Christensen said.

"A lot of times, in cases like these, the victims might be apprehensive about coming forward," Christensen said. "But when it's aired and they see that it didn't just happen to them, they're a lot more forthcoming."

Police say Terpening got to know the victims on the farm, then molested them elsewhere. They say the assaults began several years ago.

One neighbor said he doesn't believe the allegations and has written a letter to court in support of Terpening.

Another neighbor says he's waiting to pass judgment.

"Until he's tried and convicted, I'm not going to convict him," Paul Langford said. "Like I say, if it's true, it's terrible. You're supposed to be helping these kids and you're taking advantage of them."

Police, in the meantime, say they're waiting for more possible victims.

"I would not be surprised if we did have more," Christensen said. "I would expect it."

State officials say they pulled the remaining six or seven boys from the home when they learned of the allegations. They are working to revoke the program's license.

Terpening was first arrested and arraigned last week on nine charges and posted a $250,000 bond.



Also, a related report states that there are now 6 victims and 12 sexual assault charges filed:  

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/arti ... ire-Report

Ursus:
Pics from the above article in the OP, "More sex charges for former youth dir.":



Michael Terpening (Aug. 24, 2011)


Michael Terpening ran Earth Services in Hastings (Aug. 30, 2011)


(c) Copyright 2000 - 2012 WOOD Television, Inc.[/list]

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "More sex charges for former youth dir." (30 Aug 2011, WOOD-TV8):


Eddie Bullard ·  Top Commenter · Ottawa Hills High School · August 30, 2011 at 6:16am
Cut it off .Joe Koets · August 30, 2011 at 6:51am
I wonder if they housed sheep too????Dirt Farmer · December 26, 2011 at 4:12pm
You're an idiot.[/list]
Mike Boerman · Langston, Michigan · August 30, 2011 at 7:27am
This is all a hoax, why doesn't WOOD-TV8 report the fact that one of the "victims" (sic) admitted he made up the allegations, and wrote a letter to the judge who promptly threw it away? Michael T's gonna have a good case for a defamation of character/slander lawsuit on his hands against the people responsible for this witchunt once it's all over and the truth comes to light. Shame on the media for not investigating this suspicious angle! There are obviously TWO SIDES to every story, and the comments from WOOD's previous article even made it super easy, here's what one person said:

"One of the boys recanted his story, wrote a letter to the Judge stating that he and another boy concocted the entire story to get out of the home and go their own way. The Judge threw out his letter. The other boy is known to make false accusations, he has done it 5 other times (the same types of accusations) in his stays at various Foster care homes, this information is being ignored as well. The Judge has refused to let Mike have his own Attorney, making him get another one. There is something seriously FISHY going on behind the scenes in this case, with the Prosecution AND CPS..."Sam McQuern · Hastings High School · August 30, 2011 at 8:43am
What is your source DJ?Jason Gleason · August 30, 2011 at 9:14am
If charges have came up time after time there must be some thing here around the neighbor hood people have been say this for years. I feel sorry for all the kids that had to feel the pain of this.Tina George Sheely · August 30, 2011 at 10:41am
I think that all these sick child molesting perverts should have their male members amputated and put behind bars for the rest of their lives and more so the ones that keep offending. Just keeping them away from schools and daycare is not going to keep a sick pervert who likes to molest little kids is not going to stop them. Then they allow these twisted people to be around little kids anyways if they happen to be in a relationship with someone who has kids. That is just wrong, what is going to stop them from molesting the stupid mother’s children. No these sick, twisted, child molesting, perverts need to have their male member amputated and put behind bars for the rest of their sick, twisted perverted lives. It is so wrong to allow them back out on the streets so they can offend again and again and again.....Stephanie Mickaus Hurst · Sr. SW Regional Advocate at Mothers Against Drunk Driving · August 30, 2011 at 12:33pm
Stick him in prison! The boys in there know what to do with perverts. Loser.Angie Hinckley · August 30, 2011 at 3:26pm
I went to school with Mike and I find this whole thing really hard to believe. Mike was the one in school that was always there for others I just dont believe itDennis Lawrence ·  Top Commenter · Godwin Heights High School · August 30, 2011 at 3:41pm
All 5 boys should file a federal lawsuit for monetary damages against Michigan DHS for placing them here in the first place.Red Thenews · Top Commenter · Grocery Cart Wrangler at Ralphs Market · August 30, 2011 at 4:15pm
Very sad, his facebook page still has all his photos of his family set to public not private. I feel bad for his wife a kids after seeing them.Mandy Elmer · August 30, 2011 at 7:21pm
DJ how dare you. You dont know jack!Alana Timmons Berthold · Bellevue High School · September 5, 2011 at 5:25am
DJ is closer to the truth than you know, Mandy.Sam Gorton · Pennfield High School · September 27, 2011 at 3:21pm
Sounds like a lynch mob on here. If all of you that are passing judgement on here, are proven wrong, you will be judged. I think D.J. has some very credible evidence, and the judge just wants to move this along and convict a possible innocent man.
If you know how to pray, why don't you pray for the PA the jury and the judge, that God reveals the truth to them.
That is my prayer.Dirt Farmer · December 26, 2011 at 4:11pm
Judges do not convict, juries do.[/list]
Melissa Yant · Works at B And S Auto · October 11, 2011 at 5:58am
I think its sick and un called for. Helping those kids and then doing that. Sick sick. If its true throw him in prison and throw the key away. I went to purchase a horse there and he ended up being lame and mike tried screwing me out of horse and not give me anything. But at end I did get nice paint after talking with lawyers and the woman that worked at earth services. Thank you dani blue is great.

(c) Copyright 2000 - 2012 WOOD Television, Inc.

Ursus:
This saga actually hit the news 'bout 6 days prior to the article in the OP. At first it was 9 counts (~24 August), then it got upped to 11 (~30 August). And then... well, I guess you'll just have to read on!

The investigation started even earlier, in May or June. Because the Dept. of Human Services used to place kids in this facility, they investigated it in the wake of the first allegations.

Here's some of that earlier coverage:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WWMT - Newschannel 3
Former youth home director accused of sexually assaulting kids

August 24, 2011 6:35 PM


Michael Aaron Terpening

BARRY COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A former youth home director in Barry County is accused of sexually assaulting children.

Yesterday 32-year-old Michael Terpening was charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, three counts of aggravated indecent exposure, criminal sexual conduct-assault to commit sexual penetration and three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree.

He ran a group home for teens called Earth Services on Jenkins Road near Bellevue.

Neighbors say it was a place for troubled teens to stay and some of them would work next door at Terpening's farm. One neighbor tells us there were about six teenage boys living at the home at any given time.

They all left about a month ago while Terpening was being investigated.

Prosecutors say Terpening also has kids of his own and foster children.

Investigators still aren't releasing who the alleged victim is.

Right now Terpening is being held on a $250,000 bond at the Barry County Jail.


Video: Former Youth Director Faces CSC Charges
A former youth home director in Barry County is accused of sexually assaulting children.[/size]

Copyright © 2012 Freedom Communications

Ursus:
This facility apparently began as an animal rescue organization, then expanded to include "troubled teens." From the below article:

Earth Services began in 1998 as Educated Animal Rescue (E.A.R.), and then "grew to become E.A.R.T.H., Educated Animal Rescue and Teen Haven," according to its website.

The non-profit organization's Facebook page says it helps "youth and animals find their perfect fit in society."

Earth Services says it is "dedicated to helping the youth who need a second change to succeed in their community. It also helps house animals that have been abused, neglected, or owner relinquished."[/list][/size]
-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WOOD-TV8
Fmr youth home dir accused in sex case

Michael Terpening, 32, of Bellevue

Updated: Thursday, 25 Aug 2011, 10:07 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 24 Aug 2011, 8:43 PM EDT


Michael Terpening (Aug. 24, 2011)

BELLEVUE, Mich. (WOOD) - The founder of a youth home and animal rescue organization in Barry County has been arraigned in a sex crime allegedly involving multiple teen victims.

Michael Aaron Terpening is no longer the director of Earth Services, 15485 Jenkins Road in Bellevue, state police said.

State police arrested the 32-year-old Bellevue resident on Wednesday. He was then charged in Barry County District Court on two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct; three counts of aggravated indecent exposure, one count of criminal sexual conduct - assault to commit sexual penetration; and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He posted a $250,000 bond late Wednesday night and released from custody.

"The charges resulted from an extensive investigation into Terpening and Earth Services," state police said in a statement.

Earth Services began in 1998 as Educated Animal Rescue (E.A.R.), and then "grew to become E.A.R.T.H., Educated Animal Rescue and Teen Haven," according to its website.

The non-profit organization's Facebook page says it helps "youth and animals find their perfect fit in society."

Earth Services says it is "dedicated to helping the youth who need a second change to succeed in their community. It also helps house animals that have been abused, neglected, or owner relinquished."


All content (c) Copyright 2000 - 2012 WOOD Television, Inc.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page