Facility profile Texas

Rebekah Home for Girls

Later called New Beginnings Girls' Academy

Also known as Rebekah Home

Closed Corpus Christi, Texas

Rebekah Home for Girls was a christian girls home in Corpus Christi, Texas, operated by Roloff Homes. It operated from 1967 to 2001.

About Rebekah Home for Girls

It reopened in Texas in 1999.source

No charge to parents; funded by Roloff's radio broadcasts.source It was described as a Christian girls home.source Texas CPS findings of physical abuse and medical neglect.source First of Roloff's girls homes; sister program to Anchor Home for Boys.source

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

  1. 1976 Seclusion

    A student was locked in a darkened room for three days.source

  2. 1976 Abuse

    Severe beatings resulting in bruises and bleeding, lack of food, and denial of schooling.source

  3. 1977 Abuse

    Survivor describes being tied, mind controlled, and beaten until bleeding and blistered.source

  4. 1978 Abuse

    Physical abuse with a boat paddle by staff.source

  5. 1981 Abuse

    A resident was placed in a windowless lock-up room with roaches for a week and received physical paddlings ("whakings").source

  6. 1981 Seclusion

    A student spent a week in a windowless lock-up room with roaches, and received paddlings.source

  7. 1982 Restraint

    A girl was chained to a bed after running away.source

  8. 1983 Abuse

    A former resident recalls physical punishments including licks, lock-up, having mouths washed out with lye soap, clothespins stuck on ears, and prolonged kneeling on linoleum.source

  9. 1985 Injury

    A struggling black student broke a perfume bottle, used the glass to slit her wrists, and was initially denied an ER trip before being locked in a room shortly after returning with stitches.source

  10. 1986 Abuse

    A resident with severe epilepsy was accused of being possessed by the devil and forced to undergo group hymn-singing during convulsions.source

  11. 1986 Runaway

    A resident known as Bini jumped out of a third-story window to escape and broke her back.source

  12. Reported April 2003 Injury

    A girl tied to a bed in restraints escaped and jumped out of a second-story window.source

  13. Reported April 2003 Restraint

    A girl was tied and chained to a bed after running away, then jumped out of a second-story window.source

  14. Reported July 2003 Abuse

    Girls were forced to kneel on salt and were chained to beds.source

  15. Reported March 2004 Restraint

    A student trying to get the attention of a 20/20 camera crew was restrained, pulled inside, and locked up.source

  16. Reported May 2004 Runaway

    A girl left and shot her father, and two friends went missing.source

  17. Reported May 2004 Abuse

    Inmates experienced hunger, lock-ups, excessive beatings, bleeding, and standing or kneeling for hours.source

  18. Reported May 2004 Abuse

    Inmates experienced hunger, lock-up, excessive licks, bleeding, and lack of menses.source

  19. Reported June 2004 Abuse

    Survivor forced to kneel in hallway for hours and placed in lockup as punishment.source

  20. Reported June 2004 Abuse

    A survivor was forced to write 250 sentences a day until she confessed to lying about being raped.source

  21. Reported June 2004 Abuse

    Staff forced survivor to write 250 sentences a day denying a previous rape until she confessed to lying.source

  22. Reported June 2004 Abuse

    Staff slapped survivor across the face.source

  23. Reported June 2004 Abuse

    Residents were subjected to frequent physical beatings and paddlings for demerits.source

  24. Reported July 2004 Abuse

    Girls had mouths washed out with lye soap, clothespins stuck on ears, and were subjected to physical licks, lock-up, and kneeling on linoleum.source

  25. Reported July 2004 Abuse

    A girl with severe epilepsy was accused of being possessed by the devil and forced to have others gather around and sing hymns until her convulsions stopped.source

  26. Reported July 2004 Runaway

    A girl named Bini jumped out of a 3-story window to escape and broke her back.source

  27. Reported November 2004 Abuse

    Mrs. Cameron disciplined girls by beating them with a board.source

  28. Reported November 2004 Sexual abuse

    Staff members Miss Sue and Miss Cindy were caught sexually abusing a student by Mrs. Cameron and fired.source

  29. Reported November 2004 Sexual abuse

    Staff members Miss Sue and Miss Cindy were caught sexually abusing one of the girls.source

  30. Reported November 2004 Investigation

    DCF was called on Mrs. Cameron at the Florida home for hitting a young lady with a curtain rod.source

  31. Reported January 2005 Sexual abuse

    Staff member Sherri Compton molested underage girls at Rebekah.source

  32. Reported January 2005 Lawsuit

    Parents filed a lawsuit against Rebekah regarding staff member Sherri Compton's molestation of a student.source

  33. Reported January 2005 Sexual abuse

    Staff member Sherri Compton molested underage girls at Rebekah, leading to a lawsuit and an out-of-court settlement.source

  • Fornits lead (lawsuit): A lawsuit was filed by parents against Rebekah Home for Girls after staff member Sherri Compton molested a student, which ended in an out-of-court settlement. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, January 2005, source)
  • Fornits lead (investigation): Abuse charges led to continuous criminal charges, investigations, and lawsuits against the Roloff homes. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, June 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (investigation): Texas monthly article reported that Mrs. Cameron was banned from working in childcare facilities in Texas. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, November 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (news): A 20/20 television crew visited the facility with cameras while residents were in the exercise yard. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, March 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (lawsuit): Parents settled out of court with the Home after a student was molested by staff member Sherri Compton. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, January 2005, source)
  • Fornits lead (other): A Yahoo group exists for survivors from different Roloff homes. source (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, July 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (investigation): A Texas Monthly article by Pamela Coloff detailed allegations of abuse and noted that Mrs. Cameron was banned by the State of Texas from working in child care facilities. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, July 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (investigation): A Texas Monthly article by Pamela Coloff detailed numerous allegations of abuse against Mrs. Cameron and noted she was banned by the State of Texas from working in child care facilities. source (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, August 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (news): A 20/20 news crew visited the facility with cameras. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, March 2004, source)
  • Fornits lead (lawsuit): Texas banned Mrs. Cameron from working in childcare facilities. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, November 2004, source)
  • Reported closed on Fornits: Rebekah Home relocated to Florida in 2001 under new leader Charles Crumb. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, June 2004, source)

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

19671973197819791983198519992001202219672022

  1. 1967

    1. Opened

      Opened in Corpus Christi, Texas

  2. 1973

    1. Incident

      Criminal charge

      In 1973 a misdemeanor charge was filed against a house parent after parents saw a girl whipped; Roloff refused welfare workers entry.

      Criminal charge

      source

    2. Incident

      Investigation

      In 1973 visiting parents reported seeing a girl whipped; 16 girls told investigators they had been whipped, paddled, handcuffed and confined to cells.

      Investigation

      source

    3. Incident

      Lawsuit

      Court battles followed the 1973 reports and Roloff was jailed for refusing to follow court-ordered reforms.

      Lawsuit

      source

  3. 1978

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      After losing his last Supreme Court appeal in 1978, religious leaders formed a human chain around the home in the Christian Alamo; ownership was later moved to...

      Lawsuit

      After losing his last Supreme Court appeal in 1978, religious leaders formed a human chain around the home in the Christian Alamo; ownership was later moved to a church so a state court ruled it could operate without a license.

      source

  4. 1979

    1. IncidentJune 1979

      Closure order

      On June 22, 1979 Roloff surrendered to a court order to close the home; the girls returned to Texas on September 13, 1979, with 50 of the original 180 girls.

      Closure order June 1979

      source

  5. 1983

    1. Incident

      Investigation

      The Rebekah Home was the subject of state investigations through the 1970s after parents saw a girl whipped; Roloff temporarily closed his homes after state...

      Investigation

      The Rebekah Home was the subject of state investigations through the 1970s after parents saw a girl whipped; Roloff temporarily closed his homes after state prosecution on behalf of 16 former residents.

      source

  6. 1985

    1. Incident

      Closure order

      In 1985 the state won a case forcing the home to shut; the girls were moved to temporary facilities near Belton, MO.

      Closure order

      source

  7. 1999

    1. Incident

      Criminal charge

      In 1999 Texas found evidence of abuse and neglect at the Roloff Homes' Rebekah Home for girls; supervisor Faye Cameron was convicted and banned from working...

      Criminal charge

      In 1999 Texas found evidence of abuse and neglect at the Roloff Homes' Rebekah Home for girls; supervisor Faye Cameron was convicted and banned from working with children in Texas, yet TACCCA reaccredited the home.

      source

    2. IncidentJune 1999

      License action

      In June 1999 Texas Child Protective Services issued findings of physical abuse and medical neglect at the Rebekah Home, a sister school of the Anchor Home, and...

      License action June 1999

      In June 1999 Texas Child Protective Services issued findings of physical abuse and medical neglect at the Rebekah Home, a sister school of the Anchor Home, and banned its head from working with juveniles in Texas.

      source

  8. 2001

    1. New name

      Renamed New Beginnings Girls' Academy

      It had been Rebekah Home for Girls.

    2. Incident

      Closure order

      Rebekah Home for Girls, which MGGA is widely recognized as a rebrand of, was forced to shut down by the state of Texas in 2001.

      Closure order

      source

    3. Incident

      Investigation

      After allegations of abuse continued upon return to Texas, a state investigation found numerous instances of abuse later substantiated in court, and the state shut the home in 2001.

      Investigation

      source

    4. Essential reportingDecember 1, 2001

      The History of Lester Roloff's Faith-Based Youth Homes and State Oversight Battles

      Texas Monthly: Pamela Colloff's history of Lester Roloff's Rebekah Home for Girls: the punishments survivors describe, and the decades of fights over whether Texas could license it.

      The History of Lester Roloff's Faith-Based Youth Homes and State Oversight Battles December 1, 2001

      The article documents the history of the Rebekah Home for Girls, a faith‑based residential facility founded by evangelist Lester Roloff, and describes disciplinary practices such as corporal punishment, isolation, and restraints.

      Read the article

    5. Closed

      Closed

  9. 2022

    1. In the newsNovember 3, 2022

      Provo Canyon School Closure

      1 article in Baptist News Global.

      Provo Canyon School Closure November 3, 2022

      The article reports on a range of residential youth treatment facilities that have been accused of using abusive practices, including physical punishment, forced sexual examinations, and restrictive confinement.

As Rebekah Home for Girls

1967 to 2001

Incidents on record

  1. 1973 Criminal charge

    In 1973 a misdemeanor charge was filed against a house parent after parents saw a girl whipped; Roloff refused welfare workers entry.source

  2. 1973 Investigation

    In 1973 visiting parents reported seeing a girl whipped; 16 girls told investigators they had been whipped, paddled, handcuffed and confined to cells.source

  3. 1973 Lawsuit

    Court battles followed the 1973 reports and Roloff was jailed for refusing to follow court-ordered reforms.source

  4. 1978 Lawsuit

    After losing his last Supreme Court appeal in 1978, religious leaders formed a human chain around the home in the Christian Alamo; ownership was later moved to a church so a state court ruled it could operate without a license.source

  5. June 1979 Closure order

    On June 22, 1979 Roloff surrendered to a court order to close the home; the girls returned to Texas on September 13, 1979, with 50 of the original 180 girls.source

  6. 1983 Investigation

    The Rebekah Home was the subject of state investigations through the 1970s after parents saw a girl whipped; Roloff temporarily closed his homes after state prosecution on behalf of 16 former residents.source

  7. 1985 Closure order

    In 1985 the state won a case forcing the home to shut; the girls were moved to temporary facilities near Belton, MO.source

  8. 1999 Criminal charge

    In 1999 Texas found evidence of abuse and neglect at the Roloff Homes' Rebekah Home for girls; supervisor Faye Cameron was convicted and banned from working with children in Texas, yet TACCCA reaccredited the home.source

  9. June 1999 License action

    In June 1999 Texas Child Protective Services issued findings of physical abuse and medical neglect at the Rebekah Home, a sister school of the Anchor Home, and banned its head from working with juveniles in Texas.source

  10. 2001 Closure order

    Rebekah Home for Girls, which MGGA is widely recognized as a rebrand of, was forced to shut down by the state of Texas in 2001.source

  11. 2001 Investigation

    After allegations of abuse continued upon return to Texas, a state investigation found numerous instances of abuse later substantiated in court, and the state shut the home in 2001.source

  12. Abuse

    Punishment included kneeling for hours on hardwood floors, paddle or strap licks, spankings with a belt, and lockup in an isolation room where sermons were played for days.source

  13. Abuse

    Survivors report extreme physical abuse, lengthy solitary confinement, sexual abuse, sleep deprivation, and restraints including handcuffs.source

News coverage

  • Texas Monthly Dec 1, 2001 Expose

    The History of Lester Roloff's Faith-Based Youth Homes and State Oversight Battles

    Essential reporting

    Pamela Colloff's history of Lester Roloff's Rebekah Home for Girls: the punishments survivors describe, and the decades of fights over whether Texas could license it.

    The article documents the history of the Rebekah Home for Girls, a faith‑based residential facility founded by evangelist Lester Roloff, and describes disciplinary practices such as corporal punishment, isolation, and restraints. It includes survivor accounts of physical and spiritual abuse and outlines the facility’s legal battles over state licensing and oversight.

  • Baptist News Global Nov 3, 2022 Expose

    The Troubled Teen Industry, often linked to religion, is dangerous and deadly

    The article reports on a range of residential youth treatment facilities that have been accused of using abusive practices, including physical punishment, forced sexual examinations, and restrictive confinement. It cites testimonies from survivors such as Paris Hilton, Lynn Beisner, and Charlotte Rayburn, and highlights the lack of regulatory oversight and the financial incentives that may contribute to continued abuse. The piece also notes that many families were misled about the safety and therapeutic nature of these programs.

  • Killing the Buddha Mar 21, 2022 Expose

    ALL IN THE NAME OF GOD: THE MULTIBILLION DOLLAR TROUBLED TEEN INDUSTRY AND THE CHRISTIANS WHO PROFIT FROM IT (2022-03-21)

    The article reports on allegations of physical, spiritual, and sexual abuse in several faith‑based residential programs for troubled teens. It cites survivor testimonies describing forced silence, beatings, and conversion therapy practices. The piece highlights legal challenges that have allowed some facilities to operate with limited oversight.

Staff

Notable staff

As New Beginnings Girls' Academy

2001 to 2015

The record kept under this name

News coverage

  • CRIN Nov 2, 2012 Expose

    Florida Religious Exemption Laws Shield Unlicensed Children's Homes From State Oversight

    An investigative report reveals that Florida children's homes operating under a religious exemption are largely shielded from state oversight and regulation. Records show state authorities have responded to numerous allegations of abuse, physical injury, and medical neglect at these facilities over the past decade while operations continued.

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

  • Steven Blankenship

    Trained

    Elsewhere in the industry

Videos

Link to Barb's Survivor Testimony Watch on YouTube
Kidnapped by a Troubled Teen Home (FULL EPISODE) (2020-07-28) Watch on YouTube
1 of 2

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Names

Ownership

Documents

Research that mentions this program

The whole research library

From the Unsilenced archive

1,859 documents about Rebekah Home for Girls that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Rebekah Home for Girls.

Documents (1,859)

From SCIAD NET

1 document about Rebekah Home for Girls that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps it on Google Drive, where it opens.

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Survivor posts and discussion

Reference and research

7 of these from SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction