Child Assault Investigation: Teens in Boot Camp Talk to KRBC
By: Megan Dobbs
Updated: January 9, 2013
Abilene Police are investigating allegations of child assault claims that staff members of Reality Invasion Boot Camp assaulted children.
According to APD, the assaults reportedly involve restraining devices and stun devices.
APD's Special Victims Unit and Child Protective Services are investigating and hope to interview all children involved.
Police say, so far, one child has shown injuries consistent with the allegations. The youngest victim so far is four years old.
The founder of Reality Invasion Boot Camp spoke to KRBC's Megan Dobbs and later Megan sat down with a couple of teenagers enrolled in the camp to get their explanation of what happened.
Life at one point wasn't easy for the teens.
"Sexual abuse, drinking a lot," said one teen, who we are keeping anonymous.
"Stuck me in a room with a whole bunch of cereal and just left me there," said another teen. Both are adopted brother and sister.
So when they were adopted, life quickly changed for the better. Something the teens say Reality Invasion Bootcamp has also done for them.
"I listen to my parents more. I've gotten better at athletics."
"They teach us that we can do something that we set out to do if we just set our mind to it."
So when one of the teens was called out of class Tuesday to be questioned by a CPS worker and Abilene Police Detective, he says he was confused, but tried his best to answer their questions.
"Have you ever seen the taser and everything? And i was like, 'no'," explained the teen.
Both teens say they've never seen any instructor become too aggressive, and explain, their instructors are people they look up to.
"I'm a role model to this kids, and for these allegations to be brought up, it's like tarnishing the name of a role model," says the founder of Reality Invasion Bootcamp, Paul Huntington.
Colonel Huntington says a taser was used on one teenager at the house, but only after attempts had been made to calm and subdue the teen, but that person repeatedly became aggressive and combative.
It's something Huntington says the instructors have never had to do before and is only a last-minute measure for self-defense.
"We went down our steps, and as a last resort, she continued to fight, so one of my drill instructors tased her," added Huntington.
Colonel Huntington says God called him to be in Abilene to help teens overcome challenges and become leaders, and it's that same faith that's keeping him optimistic during this trying time.
"I serve a God, a living God. And I know that everything is going to be okay," said Huntington.
One of the teens we talked to, still has something troubling her. She was at home, sick, on Tuesday. She was told she'll be questioned at school on Wednesday. The questioning has her nervous because her brother returned home upset after being questioned the day before.
He says the detective was demeaning toward him, insisting the teen had been lying and when the teen says he requested that his parents be there before the interview started,
"I told them, and I thought they were going to pick up the phone and call my mom, and they didn't. Just just went on with recording and stuff like that."
Though he says he was pressed repeatedly with questions about any possible abuse from the boot camp instructors, his sister and he both say they can't imagine it.
"I love them to death like they're my own family. I'd do anything for them, like basically, as my family that I have now, treat them with the same respect."
"They tell you that you're smart enough, you're tough enough and to never give up, always give 110 percent."
The lessons these teens say they've learned so far from Reality Invasion have already changed their lives.
And these kids both say they won't stop giving that hundred percent just because an investigation is underway. And they, along with their families, plan to support Reality Invasion until the case is closed.
Colonel Huntington says parents sign forms indicating whether or not they will allow instructors to subdue their kids, if they become highly combative, and even to use a taser if attempts do not work. Huntington says the parent behind the allegation did sign that form granting permission.
According to APD, the assaults reportedly involve restraining devices and stun devices.
APD's Special Victims Unit and Child Protective Services are investigating and hope to interview all children involved.
Police say, so far, one child has shown injuries consistent with the allegations. The youngest victim so far is four years old.
The founder of Reality Invasion Boot Camp spoke to KRBC's Megan Dobbs and later Megan sat down with a couple of teenagers enrolled in the camp to get their explanation of what happened.
Life at one point wasn't easy for the teens.
"Sexual abuse, drinking a lot," said one teen, who we are keeping anonymous.
"Stuck me in a room with a whole bunch of cereal and just left me there," said another teen. Both are adopted brother and sister.
So when they were adopted, life quickly changed for the better. Something the teens say Reality Invasion Bootcamp has also done for them.
"I listen to my parents more. I've gotten better at athletics."
"They teach us that we can do something that we set out to do if we just set our mind to it."
So when one of the teens was called out of class Tuesday to be questioned by a CPS worker and Abilene Police Detective, he says he was confused, but tried his best to answer their questions.
"Have you ever seen the taser and everything? And i was like, 'no'," explained the teen.
Both teens say they've never seen any instructor become too aggressive, and explain, their instructors are people they look up to.
"I'm a role model to this kids, and for these allegations to be brought up, it's like tarnishing the name of a role model," says the founder of Reality Invasion Bootcamp, Paul Huntington.
Colonel Huntington says a taser was used on one teenager at the house, but only after attempts had been made to calm and subdue the teen, but that person repeatedly became aggressive and combative.
It's something Huntington says the instructors have never had to do before and is only a last-minute measure for self-defense.
"We went down our steps, and as a last resort, she continued to fight, so one of my drill instructors tased her," added Huntington.
Colonel Huntington says God called him to be in Abilene to help teens overcome challenges and become leaders, and it's that same faith that's keeping him optimistic during this trying time.
"I serve a God, a living God. And I know that everything is going to be okay," said Huntington.
One of the teens we talked to, still has something troubling her. She was at home, sick, on Tuesday. She was told she'll be questioned at school on Wednesday. The questioning has her nervous because her brother returned home upset after being questioned the day before.
He says the detective was demeaning toward him, insisting the teen had been lying and when the teen says he requested that his parents be there before the interview started,
"I told them, and I thought they were going to pick up the phone and call my mom, and they didn't. Just just went on with recording and stuff like that."
Though he says he was pressed repeatedly with questions about any possible abuse from the boot camp instructors, his sister and he both say they can't imagine it.
"I love them to death like they're my own family. I'd do anything for them, like basically, as my family that I have now, treat them with the same respect."
"They tell you that you're smart enough, you're tough enough and to never give up, always give 110 percent."
The lessons these teens say they've learned so far from Reality Invasion have already changed their lives.
And these kids both say they won't stop giving that hundred percent just because an investigation is underway. And they, along with their families, plan to support Reality Invasion until the case is closed.
Colonel Huntington says parents sign forms indicating whether or not they will allow instructors to subdue their kids, if they become highly combative, and even to use a taser if attempts do not work. Huntington says the parent behind the allegation did sign that form granting permission.
Comments
My father figure dad is Ssgt Huntington & I would like to thank him for helping me realize alot, When i last went to this program I knew things had to change. He helped me so very much. The best memory I have when I went to boot camp was a bible scripture he made us remember... "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." -Philippians 4:13. He gave me that strength to change for the better. If I could I would go back to boot camp just to let the kids know what I went through and that they could change "as long as you put your mind to it" thats another saying he would always say. All im trying to say, we will fight for this Boot Camp because its helping kids out here who needs it!!!
- Jasmine S
Jasmine J.
January 9, 2013 at 8:02 pm
