Pastor disputes fireplace security allegations amid evacuation of foster teenagers

REX, Ga. – A Clayton County church is disputing allegations by fireplace officers that it improperly housed foster teenagers and violated a number of fireplace security codes, prompting an emergency evacuation earlier this week.

What we all know:

Twelve minors below the custody of Georgia’s Division of Household and Youngsters Companies (DFCS) had been faraway from Now Religion Apostolic Ministries on Rex Highway after fireplace inspectors decided the church was working an unpermitted board and care facility.

Clayton County Fireplace Chief Tim Sweat stated the church was not zoned for residential use and lacked crucial life security protections, together with an automated sprinkler system, fireplace alarms, extinguishers, and emergency door-release mechanisms.

“The ability is assessed as an meeting dwelling, not a board or group dwelling,” Sweat stated. “It’s a must to have the required fireplace safety programs in place.”

The backstory:

Inspectors visited the property July 29 and located the teenagers, ages 15 to 18, sleeping in a basement outfitted with a number of beds. Sweat referred to as the shortage of emergency fireplace protections “an excessive hazard.”

Fireplace officers stated they coordinated with DFCS to relocate the minors, finishing the evacuation by 5:30 a.m. the next day. Citations had been issued for 5 fireplace code violations, that are scheduled to go earlier than the Clayton County Code Enforcement Board on September 9.

What they’re saying:

Fireplace officers preserve the occupancy change from a church to a residential care facility requires substantial upgrades and formal approval. “As a result of you may have people occupying the decrease degree in a single day, sleeping, just about, that’s their dwelling,” stated Sweat. “These youngsters shouldn’t have been staying there.”

The opposite facet:

The church’s pastor, Dr. C.H. Braddy, acknowledged the power had violations however stated they had been being addressed. “We are literally working as we communicate to handle these violations,” he stated.

Braddy disputed the hearth chief’s claims that the location was unsafe. “I don’t see it being a critical fireplace hazard. There’s sufficient ingress and egress,” he stated, including that each DFCS and county officers had accredited housing the teenagers there.

In keeping with Braddy, the teenagers had been initially housed on the church’s Riverdale property, however flooding in April pressured a brief transfer to the Rex location. “I consider the church is zoned to accommodate folks,” he stated. “Sure, we’re approved to have the youngsters right here.”

In a press release, Now Religion Apostolic Ministries condemned what it referred to as “misinformation” surrounding the emergency placement of the youngsters, whom it described as survivors of trauma and long-term displacement.

Pastor Braddy stated the teenagers had been by no means at risk and referred to as the evacuation “unfair.”

“The well being and security of all residents—particularly our youth—stays a prime precedence,” stated Sweat. “We’re dedicated to making sure all services meet required security requirements to stop lack of life or harm.”

What we do not know:

DFCS declined to remark, citing little one welfare confidentiality legal guidelines. It’s unclear the place the minors have since been relocated.