Authorities investigate alleged abuse at a youth camp in Stone County

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Authorities are investigating an alleged abuse at a youth camp in Stone County. According to  Stone County Sheriff Lance Bonds, Monday, deputies with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department responded to Dump Mountain Road Friday in regard to the report of the abuse occurring at the Bethel Church Camp.

According to Bonds, a youth counselor from the Trumann area was in charge of several juveniles between the ages of 11 and 17, when he allegedly took it upon himself to discipline the juveniles with a switch. According to the parents of the juveniles and the juveniles themselves, after being struck with the switch, marks and bruising were left on the juvenile’s bodies.

The Trumann Police Department has been contacted to assist in the interview process. All of the alleged victims are juveniles, and their names will not be released.

The alleged suspect has been identified, however he had left the camp prior to deputies being contacted. Sheriff Bonds says the investigation is being aggressively pursued and investigators hope to have closure by the end of the week. At that time the case will be forwarded to the Sixteenth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney.

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