Parents Defend Youth Boot Camp as Police Investigate Assault Allegations
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: January 9, 2013
There's yelling, pushups,everything you'd associate with a military boot camp, but in this case it's kids as young as four years old who are training.
"I'm not going to chew up a four year old like I do an older kid, no," said the founder of the non-profit organization, Paul Huntington.
Parents like Kevin Penfield believe reality invasion has been a saving grace.
"When Abilene closed all their doors to someone like me these people opened their doors for us," he said.
However, now Abilene police are investigating assault allegations on staff there.
Drill sergeants use handcuffs and even a stun gun to control any child, but only under extreme circumstances.
'If they're going to continue to fight with me and continue to cause havoc around the kids around them and their instructors, that's a problem," said Huntington, who's run the program for three years.
Huntington says a child is handcuffed using as little force as possible.
This disciplinary method isn't a surprise to parents.
In order to enroll in the program, any parent has to sign a waiver allowing the staff to either handcuff or tase their child.
Many with told KTAB they're okay with it, as long as it's necessary.
"I feel like for the safety of these instructors because a lot of these kids are violent, mine is one of them," said Penfield.
So they're not bothered by these allegations, in fact they've gathered to support the program and staff and while some like 13 year-old Ember Bishop admitted to police they dont exactly enjoy the program, saying,
"I lied, because I wanted boot camp to end, and never happen again,"
Her dad assures its the boot camp that's dramatically changed her attitude.
"They respect adults a lot better than what they used to be," said Lowell Bishop.
So he'll continue to support Reality Invasion, no matter what police say.
Police tell us so far they've found one child whose shown signs of alleged assault.
Huntington however, says hes only had to use the stun gun once and that he's never seen any of his assistants abuse their power.
So far no arrests have been made.
Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge tells us investigators are permitted by Texas law to question any child concerning a criminal investigation without the parents consent.
"I'm not going to chew up a four year old like I do an older kid, no," said the founder of the non-profit organization, Paul Huntington.
Parents like Kevin Penfield believe reality invasion has been a saving grace.
"When Abilene closed all their doors to someone like me these people opened their doors for us," he said.
However, now Abilene police are investigating assault allegations on staff there.
Drill sergeants use handcuffs and even a stun gun to control any child, but only under extreme circumstances.
'If they're going to continue to fight with me and continue to cause havoc around the kids around them and their instructors, that's a problem," said Huntington, who's run the program for three years.
Huntington says a child is handcuffed using as little force as possible.
This disciplinary method isn't a surprise to parents.
In order to enroll in the program, any parent has to sign a waiver allowing the staff to either handcuff or tase their child.
Many with told KTAB they're okay with it, as long as it's necessary.
"I feel like for the safety of these instructors because a lot of these kids are violent, mine is one of them," said Penfield.
So they're not bothered by these allegations, in fact they've gathered to support the program and staff and while some like 13 year-old Ember Bishop admitted to police they dont exactly enjoy the program, saying,
"I lied, because I wanted boot camp to end, and never happen again,"
Her dad assures its the boot camp that's dramatically changed her attitude.
"They respect adults a lot better than what they used to be," said Lowell Bishop.
So he'll continue to support Reality Invasion, no matter what police say.
Police tell us so far they've found one child whose shown signs of alleged assault.
Huntington however, says hes only had to use the stun gun once and that he's never seen any of his assistants abuse their power.
So far no arrests have been made.
Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge tells us investigators are permitted by Texas law to question any child concerning a criminal investigation without the parents consent.
Comments
my opinion all you boot camp fans if your sending your kid before your allowed to send your kid you, your spouse, and the people who run the boot camp need to be handcuffed and tasered in front of your 4 to 18 year old child then you can put them in boot camp don't put your kid through it if you wont take the hit too this tasering a kids pisses me off pushups jumping jacks ok but tasering put it to mom dad first.
KristyLynn B.
January 11, 2013 at 4:27 pm
I have a grandson that I feel would benefit from this program and you can bet that when the APD is through wasting everyones time my grandson will be in this program!!!!!!!!
Rhonda H.
January 10, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Can I say something? My name is Jasmine Sanchez once again and I would like to say? This program is for troubled kids and my father takes the time to help them! and I honesly dont see other people going out their way to help but the other sargents, but people want to say bad things about my dad Paul, well he is a good man. He has taught we well and taught me how I should treat adults and have respect for them and myself... Im very disapointed how the police is handling this situation and if I could I would go back to bootcamp all over again, I joined when i was 15 and i am now 17 years old. I am graduating this year and also going to serve my country. My father figure Paul has always told me "you can be anyone you want to be", and to be quite honest I'm going to do everything in my power to show people and the town of Abilene Texas that this program is the best! believe it or no!! I will not let this situation get in the way of letting people know the real story and thats my dad being a hero! i said it a Hero, hes my #1 hero... and i wont let no one take that away. -Jasmine Sanchez
Jasmine J.
January 9, 2013 at 10:51 pm
