BETHEL HEAD HOPING FOR A SECOND CHANCE
The Biloxi Sun Herald
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Rev. Herman Fountain is asking a judge to let him reopen his Bethel Children's Home and release him from a contempt of court charge for operating an illegal facility.
Fountain told The Mississippi Press in Pascagoula that he wants to reopen the children's home, which came under fire six years ago, and abide by the state laws he once fiercely opposed.
"I know that I want to work with kids. I know that's my calling. It's either I come under the state or I don't get to work with kids and I don't plan to buck the system anymore," Fountain told the newspaper.
Fountain, 44, filed motions this week in George County Chancery and Youth Court asking it to release him from contempt of court and to dissolve an injunction keeping him from operating a home for youths.
Allegations of abuse and neglect
On June 10, 1988, state welfare officials, backed by numerous law enforcement officials, removed 72 youngsters from the church-run home on a court order stemming from allegations of abuse and neglect.
The 1989 Legislature passed a law requiring operators of children's homes to register with the state. In 1989, the state filed an injunction to close the home and 13 more youngsters were removed in January 1990 after a judge officially closed Bethel.
The incidents surrounding the 1988 removal landed Fountain in prison after he was convicted for assaulting a police officer during the raid. He spent nine months in prison, which he calls a humbling experience.
"You get a stripe on your pants and you get no respect. You're the scum of the earth," he said.
He said prison taught him that what his children's home lacked was compassion.
"In prison I went through some of the things that children go through when they are sent to a home. Now, I'll be able to look at them and know what they're feeling. Now, I'll know how they must feel when they're away from their parents and can't communicate.
"I'll know what they're feeling when they gripe about food and not getting visits and dorm situations.
"Even though there's still got to be rigid standards to teach them character and integrity, there also needs to be compassion," Fountain said.
Fountain said he has no regrets about his actions six years ago because he learned from his mistakes and has a better attitude.
Fountain said he hopes to reopen Bethel Home as soon as possible, initially using existing facilities at his 16-acre church campus just beyond the Lucedale city limits.
He said he hopes to sell that property and start fresh at another location in either George or Greene County.
"I don't want to leave the jurisdiction here. We've established something that I want to keep, but this place is run down and I'd like a fresh start on facilities and everything."
Fountain said he wants to begin with about 20 children.
Complaints about the Bethel Home involved Fountain's refusal to allow inspections by the Department of Health, state fire marshal and school attendance officer.
Beaten, isolated and neglected
During his 10 years of operation, about 150 children ran away from Bethel and complained they were made to run laps in the wee morning hours, beaten, isolated for days in the "prayer room" and were neglected medical attention.
Fountain said Christianity will still be the centerpiece for his new home. He also plans to keep corporal punishment as part of his discipline program, but he promises it will be greatly supervised and used only as a last resort.