Child abuse protest at Lima church

     A protest against child abuse today in front of a Lima church.

     Three women holding signs were out in front of Calvary Bible Church to protest the alleged abuse of children at Hephzibah House, a Winona Lake, Indiana boarding school for troubled girls.        

One of the women, Katrina Smith, was sent there when she was 15.      

     Ron Williams the founder of the boarding school was speaking at the Lima church today.                Smith says other survivors of the home have told her about all sorts of abusive practices that are still going on like strip searches and forced vaginal exams as well as spankings administered with a long wooden paddle. 

      "I'm protesting to the fact that kids, teenagers were being abused there, physically, mentally, emotionally and it's something stuck in our heads, in our hearts for the rest of our lives" recounted Smith.

      Williams was not at the church while our cameras were there.      

      The pastor of Calvary Bible Church, Keith Hamblen did speak to us about their support of Hephzibah House.  

     "Yes, we have supported them...I have known people from Lima that have gone there, young ladies that would say that they were helped by that program" said Pastor Hamblen.

      A check of Hephzibah House's website claims they do not spank as discipline now, but instead makes those who need discipline write out a specific number of scripture verses.