RYA Restoration Youth Academy

RYA Restoration Youth Academy Thursday April 5, 2012 (Press-Register/John David Mercer) METRO

(JOHN DAVID MERCER Mercer, John David)

Three people have been convicted on child abuse charges linked to a private church school on the Alabama coast.

A statement sent by twitter from Mobile County prosecutors Wednesday says 55-year-old Pastor John Young was convicted on five counts of aggravated child abuse related to the Saving Youth Academy, which was also called Restoration Youth Academy.

Forty-eight-year-old William Knott and 42-year-old Aleshia Moffett were convicted on three counts each. Sentencing for all three is scheduled for Feb. 22.

Authorities say they three were linked to a Christian, boot camp-style residential school for troubled young people.

Jurors heard from teens who prosecutors described as victims of abuse at the residential school. Jurors also saw images of an isolation room where investigators say teens would be locked for days at a time.