IA - Police remove 88 children from Bible study camp during human trafficking investigation - Louisa County, June 2025

[airportwoman]

The story is developing, and it looks like the events happened on June 12 and 13, but it wasn't reported until today, the 16th. My local station said that a camper called 911 "and said they didn't want to be there" and the ball got rolling from there. I have a feeling that this is going to blow up any moment.

88 children removed from eastern Iowa church camp amid child abuse investigation

Authorities removed 88 children from two Columbus Junction-area properties as part of a child abuse investigation. The case remains under active investigation.

www.wqad.com

 

[Clearsky]

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

Deputies executing search warrants removed the children over the weekend and took them to a nearby church to meet with child protection workers.

nypost.com

The youngsters are now in protective custody of local agencies after they were taken from the Shekinah Glory Camp run by Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation, according to police and local reports.

 

[Bigditch]

Disgusting. I say, follow the money.

 

[PromotedPawn]

I'm interesting in finding out what was going on there. Not enough information available yet.

 

[airportwoman]

I live in the region, and I really don't know any more than what was reported when the story broke.

 

[Knox]

The alleged abuse happened at the Shekinah Glory Camp in Columbus Junction, Iowa. The camp is run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation.

The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation website says its mission is “Assisting individuals in breaking free from addiction through God’s Word, offering food and shelter to those in need, and supporting individuals during fasting and prayer.”

88 children rescued from church summer camp after reports of child abuse and endangerment, deputies say

Dozens of children are now in protective custody after deputies rescued them from a church camp in Iowa, according to officials.

www.kptv.com

 

[Knox]

We never harmed that child. We loved him,” he said. “We bought him like $400 shoes, clothing, everything.”

Bawi added that the camp is for Christian teenagers from all over the country.

‘We never harmed that child’: Son of minister speaks after deputies remove 88 kids from church camp

After authorities removed 88 children from a church camp in Iowa and placed them in protective custody, a church employee said the situation all started with a call to police from a 15-year-old.

www.kgns.tv

A nonprofit Church camp for addicted teens bought a kid attending a pair of $400 shoes? How interesting …

 

[tarabull]

Shock, denials follow removal of 88 children from Louisa County camp

A volunteer denied the allegations of child abuse and endangerment that emerged after a raid on the camp late last week.

www.thegazette.com

 

[tlcya]

https://www.facebook.com/LouisaCountyIowaSheriff/posts/pfbid031rPyMG6cdAoNbvgavQx3DhNL9TqwhP8DFD6nFuynZguyv6DC8NpJmkrsQy1JdJ5bl

not much info on what the specific allegation is constituting abuse. Waiting for more facts before commenting.

 

[Chimera]

The alleged abuse happened at the Shekinah Glory Camp in Columbus Junction, Iowa. The camp is run by the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation.

The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation website says its mission is “Assisting individuals in breaking free from addiction through God’s Word, offering food and shelter to those in need, and supporting individuals during fasting and prayer.”

88 children rescued from church summer camp after reports of child abuse and endangerment, deputies say

Dozens of children are now in protective custody after deputies rescued them from a church camp in Iowa, according to officials.

www.kptv.com

Bbm.
"Fasting".
I do NOT like that word in conjunction with children.

Were they forcibly starving kids who didn't obey ?
My god how depraved if so !
Hope they checked the kids for malnutrition and sores/welts from possible beatings.
Omo.

 

[Chimera]

Don't send your teens anywhere unless you can check on them at any given time; day or night.
And only if you as a parent or caregiver, can monitor the situation.
Never leave your kids with people you don't know even if they have a sterling reputation.
You have to be wary even with people you do know, for the most part.
Have been reading to find out more information ; but again my .02 is that the children weren't rescued and placed in state custody without due reason ?
Evidence of mistreatment ?
Video footage that was concerning ?
If a parent or guardian's last resort is to send their teen to a private rehab -- insist that there is continuous video footage that you can access at any time !
If not, be careful.
Imo.

 

[Chimera]

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

Deputies executing search warrants removed the children over the weekend and took them to a nearby church to meet with child protection workers.

nypost.com

The youngsters are now in protective custody of local agencies after they were taken from the Shekinah Glory Camp run by Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation, according to police and local reports.

Thanks for the link, @Clearsky !

Some of the comments below it are interesting.
Veerrryyy interesting !
Esp. by a 'TM' and an 'OhG'.
Imo.

 

[Teche]

This place resembles a compound and not a summer camp for kids. No lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, etc. on the premises.

 

[Chimera]

Also wanted to add that fasting won't show any signs like a beating would, unless the food deprivation happens for a very long time.
So, a week here or there may not show up at all ?

I want to think that this was all a mistake, and the teens were properly looked after, but from the links above, it sounded like they'd taken in more than they could responsibly care for ?
Like, the place was set up for a small amount of kids -- but they'd packed in many more ....
Imo.

 

[seasideForest]

"Fasting".
I do NOT like that word in conjunction with children.

To be fair, in my country we understand that fasting can be from things other than food, like mobile phone usage, watching TV (tho unlikely at a camp since no TV available anyway I presume) or in the context of the camp probably even sit and pray together for half an hour instead of playing. But chances are that's not what is being referred to. Thought I'd mention it tho, just in case.

MOO

 

[Bigditch]

Let's call a spade a spade. It wasn't a bible camp.

I am deleting part of what I said because it's true we don't know what kind of human trafficking was involved, and since articles posted are paywalled I will reserve judgement.

 

[ErinC]

Assuming that the camp's response is true (which is a big assumption), why would you be buying a camper $400 shoes? If a camper lost their shoes, you'd go to Walmart and get inexpensive ones to last until they got home. $400 says grooming to me. MOO

 

[iusedtofloat]

On Tuesday afternoon the camp was a hot, dusty place notable for the two television news cameramen parked on the gravel road in front of the small, one-story gray home that serves as the camp's headquarters.
Until late last week, the camp was packed with almost 90 teenagers enrolled in a faith-based substance abuse recovery camp. But the campers were all gone and a young man was one of those who remained behind and attempted to answer questions about what happened to all the campers.

"Most of them were here for substance abuse," said the volunteer, who did not use his name at the direction of an attorney. "They come here for God."

He denied the allegations of child abuse and endangerment that emerged after a raid on the camp late last week.

Louisa County Sheriff Brandon Marquardt said while there had not been any arrests made as of Tuesday morning as the result of the HHS operation, he believes there will be arrests soon.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office assisted HHS with the execution of search warrants at 10431 Q Ave., Columbus Junction and 1101 Fifth Ave. in Fredonia, which has a Columbus Junction address. The addresses are to the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation and the Shekinah Glory Camp.

David Cung Nuam, the owner of both properties, did not respond to requests for comment.

Later in the article it says David has custody of several minors too

Shock, denials follow removal of 88 children from camp in Iowa

Until late last week, the camp was packed with almost 90 teenagers enrolled in a faith-based substance abuse recovery camp. But the campers were all gone and a young man was one of those who remained behind and attempted to answer questions about what happened to all the campers.

siouxcityjournal.com

 

[Via Marple]

On Tuesday afternoon the camp was a hot, dusty place notable for the two television news cameramen parked on the gravel road in front of the small, one-story gray home that serves as the camp's headquarters.
Until late last week, the camp was packed with almost 90 teenagers enrolled in a faith-based substance abuse recovery camp. But the campers were all gone and a young man was one of those who remained behind and attempted to answer questions about what happened to all the campers.

"Most of them were here for substance abuse," said the volunteer, who did not use his name at the direction of an attorney. "They come here for God."

He denied the allegations of child abuse and endangerment that emerged after a raid on the camp late last week.

Louisa County Sheriff Brandon Marquardt said while there had not been any arrests made as of Tuesday morning as the result of the HHS operation, he believes there will be arrests soon.

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office assisted HHS with the execution of search warrants at 10431 Q Ave., Columbus Junction and 1101 Fifth Ave. in Fredonia, which has a Columbus Junction address. The addresses are to the Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation and the Shekinah Glory Camp.

David Cung Nuam, the owner of both properties, did not respond to requests for comment.

Later in the article it says David has custody of several minors too

Shock, denials follow removal of 88 children from camp in Iowa

Until late last week, the camp was packed with almost 90 teenagers enrolled in a faith-based substance abuse recovery camp. But the campers were all gone and a young man was one of those who remained behind and attempted to answer questions about what happened to all the campers.

siouxcityjournal.com

This story is more than just about vulnerable teenagers and religion..

The Kingdom Ministry of Rehabilitation and Recreation and the Shekinah Glory Camp are religious groups that were established in Louisa County in 2018, Marquardt said. The ministry is a rehabilitation center to help members of the Burmese population with substance abuse problems.

 

[Bigditch]

Who knows how far reaching this goes? Scary