Wisconsin church members accused of child abuse

The pastor and 7 members of a small Aleitheia Bible Church in Black Earth are charged with using wooden rods to punish infants and young children. Authorities say, members of a small Wisconsin church took the “spare the rod, spoil the child” philosophy way too far. they now stand accused of child-abuse allegations for using actual wooden rods, dowels and spoons on the bare buttocks of children as young as 2 months old.

The head pastor of Aleitheia Bible Church, his brother and three sets of parents who are members of the congregation in Black Earth were charged after former church members told authorities that children were being mistreated. The case involves 12 children from infancy to age 6, who got spankings for behavior such as being emotional, grumpy or crying. The parents meanwhile, defend their actions saying that the spankings just left redness and bruising. Spanking a 2 month old?

“It was our decision … along with the district attorney’s office, that it went beyond reasonable discipline and would be something most people would consider excessive,” said Dane County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer.

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On Thursday, 6 church members appeared in Dane County Circuit Court in Madison and pleaded not guilty to being a party to intentional abuse of their children and causing bodily harm. They were booked and released. Head pastor Philip B. Caminiti, 53, and his brother, John R. Caminiti, 45, were charged with at least a dozen counts of child abuse last week. The brothers are accused of using the wooden instruments to spank children in their families. They also pleaded not guilty and were released.

Philip Caminiti faces up to 6 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Yet the children remain in their homes as social workers are working with the families. Those parents accused also, in the abuse are, two of Philip Caminiti’s children and their spouses: Matthew Caminiti, 27, and his wife, Alina, 24; and Maria J. Stephenson, 29, and her husband, Timothy, 28. Also charged are Andrea L. Wick, 26, and Timothy J. Wick, 27.

Attorney Jeffrey W. Nichols, who represents Alina Caminiti, said his client is a “caring mother who loves her children. I believe it is important to note that the children have never been removed from her or her husband’s care despite these allegations and despite some unfair characterizations of her.”

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Attorneys for the other defendents declined comment. The church was formed in 2006, when some members of the Curtis Street Bible Fellowship broke away to start their own church. Philip Caminiti held worship services and meetings at his and other members’ homes.

Authorities received complaints about the church in November, as Philip expressed his belief the Bible dictates the use of a rod to punish children. He stated children only a few months old are “worthy” of the rod and that by 1 1/2 months, a child is old enough to be spanked. Church members told authorities that Philips then told parents on how to use rods to spank children’s buttocks.

He stated he “likes the immediacy of spanking” and “pain is a good way to teach children.” The complaint also states Philip said: “If you spank early and it is done right, then kids will be happy and obedient.”

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These punishments often occurred during church services, when children refused to sit still, or would start to cry. Philip was adament about children being quiet while in church. Alex Jassen, a University of Minnesota religious studies professor, said he is unaware of similar cases involving churches, but said it’s not uncommon for some Christian parents to use corporal punishment.

Some groups take a more fundamentalist approach and believe it’s appropriate to literally use a rod. Yet the Bible, or religious beliefs in general, can’t be used to defend instances of child abuse, he said.

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