On Saturday, August 18, 2007 it was reported by the Associated Press that a 15-year-old girl had been dragged behind a van near Corpus Christi, Texas. The young woman, Siobahn McClintock, was sent to the Christian boot camp by her mother who had to sign a release that stated that “I further realize that the possibility of an accident, injury or even fatality to my child does exist.” Because the camp’ only lasts 32 days it doesn’t have to have a license. When her daughter returned home she was covered in very visible scrapes and bruises sustained during the assault.
What happened at the evangelical Christian BOOT CAMP?
If like Mrs. Frances McClintock (Siobahn’s mother) you were surprised that anything like this could happen at an evangelical Christian BOOT CAMP for 13-19-year-old girls run by a male former Air Force Instructor, then please continue to be shocked…the persons responsible for the assault, Pastor Charles Eugene Flowers and lackey Stephanie Bassitt of San Antonio-based Love Demonstrated Ministries were released from jail on $100,000 bond.
Not surprising is the support of evangelical leadership: “Pastor Flowers has worked devotedly and sacrificially with troubled youth for over 10 years,” said Brannstrom, the group’s president. “For some, this boot camp has been what a judge has decided as a last chance before going to prison. There are hundreds of teens that have been positively impacted by the love, strength and devotion of Pastor Flowers’ ministry.”
Unshaken? Unstirred?
Well how about this…this is the first time you’ve probably read about it and the incident took place in June.
I get the impression that Mrs. Frances McClintock with hind site, would not have sent her daughter to such a violent camp, however one must wonder why she sent her there in the first place with a release form like that.