circle c ranch ny allegations
Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. It all started in the heart of an evangelist named Wes Aarum. But the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team heard from multiple women who said they were not included in the MinistrySafe investigation, which examined claims stretching as far back as the 1990s, and who said their allegations stem from a time at Circle C Ranch between 2000 and 2016. ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP Circle C Ranch 2023 Rate $345 WEEK 1: July 10th-15th (Monday - Saturday) WEEK 2: July 17th-22nd (Monday - Saturday) All meals included All lodging included All activities included REGISTER HERE FOR THE BEST WEEK EVER! 3,832 were here. The work poses many challenges. OPTION 2: Form your OWN GROUP (Adult supervisors will be responsible for the students they bring) TO REGISTER OR ASK QUESTIONS: Click Here! Bob asked how much interest? Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. 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The leadership of New York Christian camp Circle C Ranch defended operations director Wayne Aarum against claims that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple girls beginning decades ago, saying an internal investigation showed there was no substantial credible evidence of misconduct. The former employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution from Aarums family, said the woman came forward because Aarum still has access to kids through his work at Circle C Ranch. information shared on its website on Monday. He has consistently denied all of the allegations against him. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director, since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. You have permission to edit this article. A camp director and pastor with ties to a megachurch in western New York has been accused of inappropriately touching more than 20 women when they were teenage girls. Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. Editor's note: There are descriptions of alleged sexual abuse and opinions about survivors of alleged abuse that may be triggering to abuse survivors. Email us at: info@circlecranch.org. Hannah Buehler reports. The camp was going to be a western town called Circle 'C' Ranch (Circle 'C' standing for Christ centered) and it would be legally owned by the . Keeping his hands on their bodies way too long when it wasnt necessary at all.. Wes said he didnt know. Circle "C" Ranch is a christian youth camp about an hour south of Buffalo New York, the setting is very unique in the fact that it is themed in the 18 See more Last week, 7 Eyewitness News reported that at least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint to probe allegations of inappropriate touching and contact with girls by Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. I have zero recollection of that. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. Girls, now women, who participated in the investigation said that the behaviors became so normalized that they assumed others, including parents and ministry leaders, knew and approved, Norris wrote in her letter to the state office. Hed get uncomfortably close to my face, and I remember thinking as a teenager about the tension of him being so close to my face, like is he trying to kiss me? said Carnahan, who now lives near Tampa and works in a restaurant. Little did he realize that 23 years later God would let him have the desire of his heart. A youth pastor and Christian camp director who was accused of inappropriately touching 21 girls is suing the Amherst megachurch that hired a lawyer to investigate the allegations. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. As you've read, Taddeo and Silvarole spent months speaking to 16 women who described inappropriate and uncomfortable encounters with the man who hasbeen camp director or president for many years at Circle C Ranch. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. In a March 26 interview with Buffalo TV station WKBWs 7 Eyewitness News Aarum said he had not been given the opportunity to defend himself by MinistrySafe and that witnesses who supported him had not been interviewed. In October 2020, they hired MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris, who completed her investigation in December 2020. Aarum said that he met a year ago with John Camardo, executive pastor at The Chapel, and Camardo told him that he was accused of abuse of spiritual authority and inappropriate interactions but refused to more clearly define those charges. Im not anonymous, she said. I think she and other survivors felt responsible to bring it to light., The former employee said she never recognized Aarums interaction with girls as inappropriate while she worked there as a teen. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. The investigation yielded an extraordinary amount of corroborating evidence from third party sources, most of whom were former staff members. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Aarum, 55,remains in his position as director of Circle C Ranch. Camardo did not respond Friday to a voicemail and email seeking comment. Thank you for your support. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". The case has cracked a small window into the inner workings of the Chapel, one of the areas largest and most influential nondenominational Christian churches. Just after the story published, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, emphasizing the presence of families there and not individual teens. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at, in Getzville, New York, current pastor of. ", "I'm not sure who's saying it and what they're referring to," he said. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. A number of women former high school youth group members under Aarums leadership brought allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from that time period earlier this year. Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. Delaware North scores with billboard with Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka, well, you know Pastor accused of touching girls sues Amherst church over allegations, Watch now: Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Senators react to the end of emergency SNAP benefits, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. 1.) Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. Aarums lawsuit was filed by Amherst attorneys Steven K. Long and Olivia T. Paulo-Lee on Wednesday, the same day the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle published a detailed account quoting several other women who alleged inappropriate contact. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. Aarum denies the allegations against him and continues to operate the Circle C Ranch. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. I pledge to you this:TheD&Cteam will do its best to serve Greater Rochester and each of our readers every single day. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. I, myself, personally 20 years ago sat down with Mr. Wes (Wayne Aarums father) and said, I love Wayne with all my heart, but I saw him interact in a way that was just inappropriate. , Fancher said he also has heard firsthand accounts from women who are truly victims.. Drew Silleman. Missed chances:Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. The inappropriate behavior included stroking legs and touching clothed breasts and genital areas, according to a letter Norris sent to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. Aarums denials prompted Elle Campbell to post on Twitter that she was one of the 21+ victims and 27+ corroborators who were interviewed for Norris report. Sometimes he would grab her from behind and pull his pelvis tight to her body, she said. Aarum said in his lawsuit that the relationship between the church and the camp began to cool after the death of church founder James Andrews in 1999 and the start of a more expansionist and financially oriented management of the church under new Lead Pastor Jerry Gillis. If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site. While at that camp Wes got to thinking that maybe someday he would be able to start a camp where young people could come to know Christ. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. Check the lists below! Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Read their stories. If I have offended you, I will apologize, he said during a church service in April. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. To make a donation,click here. In early 2021, The Chapel held a members-only meeting to share some of the findings and to announce the church was suspending all activities and financial ties to Circle C Ranch. The smart way to start your day. Percy, as they wanted to call him, was considered by many to be the founder of the Christian Camp Ministry. 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An alleged victim who is now 25 and who said she was heavily involved at Circle C said, He would sit next to me and put his hand on my leg and rub my inner thigh and outer thigh. We believe in the Divine Inspiration of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, the creation of man by the diret act of God, the Incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His vicarious atonement for the sin of mankind, His death, burial, resurection, and His coming again bodily to take His saints to be with Him forever. When he gave Bob a call, he said I suppose the same terms as before and then he wrote out a check fo the amount. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. In late 2019, allegations of abuse against Aarum began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. What else might develop? He was born in Buffalo, NY into a godly family and at 17 years of age accepted Christ into his life. A detailed report written by Norris to State Children and Family Services officials was given Sunday to the 21 women who came forward. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls at the camp and when he was a youth pastor in the 1990s at one of the areas largest churches. Aarum, whose family has run the camp for decades and who is also listed as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Arcade, denied the allegations in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. Dekalb appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. At this age, he began to take care of his health. Campbell declined to comment further when contacted by The News. According to a report released by Ministry Safe, Wayne Aarum engaged in the following illicit activities: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl. God knew that Wes would need a man that would be a confidant, a prayer partner, on who could give wise counsel and one who had the same soul-winning burden and vision for the camp that he had. Whether you are a loyal D&C reader or a new one, please know that stories like this are possible because of subscribers like you. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. To more or less prime the pump?. WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. In her lawsuit, filed last month in Cattaraugus County under the state Child Victims Act, Snell claims Aarum, 55, touched her inappropriately between 2008 and 2015, when she was a minor, including touching her genitals, breasts and buttocks; rubbing her inner and upper thighs and pressing his pelvis into her back. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarum's inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according . Furthermore, Taddeo and Silvarole included what could be learned about how camp leaders dealt with complaints made about Aarum: "Circle C Ranch wouldultimately determinethe initial allegationswere false through its own internal investigation. Instead, Chapel leaders offered to share information gathered in the course of the investigation IF Circle C undertook an independent investigation in good faith. In its response to Norris' report, the Circle C Ranch board suggests that the volume of complaints against Aarum was related to the work he did, often with troubled teenagers. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. Circle C Ranch'sboard of trustees said they did their own investigation. He assured them they wouldnt see this behavior again, she said. The board also claims that the Chapel is attempting to use the womens claims to generate controversy and take over the 315-acre rural camp that has been in the Aarum family since 1968. For months, The Chapel facilitated conversations between women like McDonald, who say they were abused by Aarum,and the Circle C Ranch board of directors. Chapel leaders learned a few months later about additional allegations of inappropriate behavior by Aarum during his time as a church staff member from 1991 to 2000. The camps parent corporation, Living Waters Ministries, said in response: At the outset, a flat statement: Wayne Aarum, the Operations Director of the Circle C Ranch, never engaged in any of the conduct described in Ms. Norriss report.. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. Circle C Ranch released its own investigation of the allegations at The Chapel on the ranch's website in March 2021. "Wayne has ministered to thousands and thousands of kids over the years, and we never heard anything from anybody.". They know Mr. Aarum personally, often for decades, and they know he would never intentionally harm anyone.. Chelsea Carnahan told The News that Aarum stroked her back, hair and legs during one-on-one counseling sessions when she was a Pioneer High School student from 2006 to 2010. That was of the Lord. It is important for you to know that both The Chapel leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible, and we continue to stand with those who have courageously come forward, Chapel leadership said Friday in a statement posted to the churchs website. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. Click here to read the statement from Circle C Ranch. The Chapel first hired MinistrySafe in 2019 to improve its policies after unrelated sexual abuse allegations at its Lockport worship site were reported by The Buffalo News in 2019. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. Snell could not be reachedafterrepeated attempts, including a letter to his home, phone calls and an email to his wife.". Wes said none its for the Lord. Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. 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A copy of the report, which was obtained by 7 Eyewitness News, stated: In the course of the MinistrySafe investigation, these behaviors were communicated: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl", The report stated that 27 people came forward to corroborate some of the alleged behaviors, including hand rubbing inside of thighfailing to honor preference NOT to be touched and meeting 1/1 with girls late into the night.. Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. READ THE FULL INVESTIGATION:These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Lasting trauma:He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. In late 2019, allegations of abuse began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now? I mean, none of these women had any complaints at all until they were contacted by this group and suggestions were made to them.. Aarum also said in a video posted to the Circle C Ranch website this summer that he never received complaints at the time the alleged abuse occurred about his behavior in either positions he's held at The Chapel or at Circle C Ranch. If you are an abuse survivor, or you would like to share your experiences about the events described above, please send an email to Charlie.Specht@wkbw.com or Hannah.Buehler@wkbw.com. Two men face multiple charges following a chase and search Saturday night in the Town of Collins, Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reported Tuesday. For months, The Chapel facilitated conversations between women like McDonald, who say they were abused by Aarum, and the Circle C Ranch board of directors. Camardo also told the congregation there was no truth to the rumor that the Chapel was attempting to take over operation of the camp. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister atThe Chapel at Crosspointin Getzville, New York, current pastor ofFirst Baptist Churchin Arcade, New York, and the operator ofCircle C Ranchyouth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Multiple women told the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team that Aarum would sometimes touch intimate areas and would grab their bra straps. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. I dont want any more children to be affected. read more Filed Under: Church Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct 3,079 views Mar 26, 2021 A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus. The family camp experience includes activities likechapel services, all-you-can-eat meals, horseback riding, laser tag androck wall climbing, according to the website, andfamilies will stay overnight together in the camp's on-site lodging. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. Report stated 21 women have made allegations. It's particularly true, though, when enterprising reporters receivea good story tip and stay with it until they get to the heart of an important story that otherwise would never have been told. Have offended you, I Will apologize, he said during a church in! News staff Reporter Jay Tokasz facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly it necessary. Ranch to police years ago he is accused when contacted by the.... Is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors confirm facts and difficult-to-reach... 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