Current and former employees speak out after alleged rape at Baldwin County Wilderness Camp
By Kati Weis, FOX10 News Reporter
BALDWIN COUNTY, AL (WALA) -
After a teenage camper allegedly raped a female staff member on a nature trail this week, employees are coming forward saying the Baldwin County Residential Wilderness Camp for criminal juveniles needs a complete overhaul in its policies and leadership.
At their request, the identities of these current and former employees will remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.
One current employee said the center's lack of leadership and consistency in discipline is taking the center downhill.
"It's scary, the main thing is this the lack of consistency in procedures that's led the kids to take advantage of the situation, took advantage of our situation when it should have been a certain way, and it wasn't. it ended up tragically in this situation," the employee said.
Three current and former employees spoke exclusively with FOX10 News Thursday, December 24, noting they decided to speak to FOX10 News after watching Baldwin County officials on our newscast Wednesday night talk about an alleged rape at the camp.
"Typically we don't see violent kids come up there, there are kids that are getting in trouble, obviously, everybody that's there is there for a reason, but these aren't the hardest kids of all, the hardest kids go to juvenile detention," Baldwin County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey had said Wednesday, December 23, at a news conference.
Violent offenders sent to camp?
But, employees allege there are violent offenders living on campus.
"I've seen a lot of second degree assaults, and I've seen a lot of robbery type cases," said one current employee. "A lot of times this was sent out via email, and the therapists would put it out to all the staff, they would say exactly what they are here for, whether it be assault or robbery or whatever."
Employees working at the camp are not given any weapons, and there are no security guards on campus, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.
The camp is run by the County Commission, and staff are employed by the County.
This week, officials said a female staff member approached a 15-year-old resident while he was walking alone on a nature trail.
That's when the teen allegedly attacked the woman, physically assaulting and raping her.
Employees explained there is minimal training for staff members to learn self defense.
"There were a lot of times when there might be one child in particular that I didn't feel particularly safe with, and sometimes I would ask if staff could come along with me. sometimes they could, but nine times out of 10, they couldn't, because they had paperwork they had to work on, they didn't have the time to come out there with me," explained a former employee. "There was no buddy system, at all."
County Commission could take action
FOX10 News contacted Commissioner Dorsey for comment about the employee's allegations Thursday.
He said he was never made aware of any problems at the camp, and he feels the facility needs to be investigated.
"When we as a commission get back together on January 5, we're probably going to launch into a pretty heavy discussion and investigation into what that facility does in detail, and how we're going to proceed and what policies and procedures do we have holes in and we need to adjust, modify, or rectify," said Dorsey.
Despite the alleged flaws, the employees said they ultimately want to see the camp succeed, because they say it has the capability of changing kids' lives.
"This camp was a very great idea, it was made to help kids, it was made to help kids get past some issues and be able to become independent, dependable, adults," explained a former employee.
"The camp is a great place for kids to get what they need, to continue on in life, and rebuild the mistakes they did," said one current employee.
The County Commission will meet on January 5 to discuss the camp, FOX10 News will let you know what actions commissioners may take.
For video of interview and to read more click link below: