Crossroads Baptist Church: Pastor, Staff Member Accused of Child Abuse, Neglect, by Thomas King, HNGN, September 4, 2015

Crossroads Baptist Church: Pastor, Staff Member Accused of Child Abuse, Neglect

By Thomas King
HNGN
September 4, 2015

http://www.hngn.com/articles/126239/20150904/crossroads-baptist-church-pastor-staff-member-accused-child-abuse-neglect.htm

Authorities believe the school's disciplinary measures went too far. Students reported being hit with wooden paddles until their bodies were left bruised. (Photo : Flickr Commons)

Authorities believe the school's disciplinary measures went too far. Students reported being hit with wooden paddles until their bodies were left bruised. (Photo : Flickr Commons)

Authorities have arrested those in charge of an Indiana boarding school on allegations of battery and neglect after accounts of extreme discipline and abuse were reported by the students, according to WLKY.

Pastor Jerry Harris, 47, and Christopher Williams, 21, of the Well of Grace Boarding School, in affiliation with the Crossroads Baptist Church in Sellersburg, have been arrested and charged with battery and neglect after police questioned students of the school.

The police questioning brought to light various degrees of discipline the students endured that authorities believe crossed the line.

One student had notable bruises that were deemed "very serious" by investigators and several others recalled instances of being punished with a wooden paddle whenever they would make mistakes or disobey, according to USA Today.

The police have charged Harris with four counts of battery and Williams was charged with three. They were both charged one count of neglect of a dependent each.

The students' reported ages ranged from 8 to 19.

Another student was paddled because he wet the bed, possibly due to the boarding school's rule that no one is allowed to go to the bathroom after lights out.

There was even a report of one of the students having a rope tied around his waist like a leash to be guided around for several days, according to WDRB.

Since the allegations, all of the children attending the school have been removed, being placed with child protective services of sent home.

The investigation began after one of the students selling candy told an adult about their fear of being punished for not selling enough.