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Boot camp workers charged with dragging girl
2 men, including director, allegedly punished girl for running too slow
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Pastor accused of dragging teen behind van Aug. 13: A Texas pastor is facing felony charges after a participant in his Christian boot camp claimed she was dragged behind a van for failing to complete a run. WOAI's Brian Collister reports. NBC News Channel |
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BANQUETE, Texas - Authorities charged the director of a Christian boot camp and an employee with dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she fell behind the group during a morning run.
Charles Eugene Flowers and Stephanie Bassitt of San Antonio-based Love Demonstrated Ministries, a 32-day boot camp for at-risk teens, are accused of tying the girl to the van with a rope June 12 and dragging her, according to an arrest affidavit filed Wednesday.
Flowers, the camp’s director, ordered Bassitt to run alongside the girl after she fell behind, according to the affidavit. When the girl stopped running, Bassitt yelled at her and pinned her to the ground while Flowers tied the rope to her, according to the affidavit.
The girl was treated for scrapes and bruises on her stomach, legs and arms.
The girl’s mother gave investigators photos of her daughter’s injuries and a sworn statement from a witness who claimed to have seen the girl dragged on her stomach at least three times.
Flowers and Bassitt remained jailed Saturday on $100,000 bond each on aggravated assault charges.
A call to Love Demonstrated Ministries was not immediately returned Friday. No listing was found for Bassitt. An answering machine at a listing for Flowers cut off during an attempt to leave a message Friday.
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