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Mr. Cullen, The 5 victims of the alst Green Isle debacle continue to be abused by the syste. Green Isle was always owned by Don Brown, Bridges of America. The victims have been given your contact information. Thanks John

GREEN ISLE CHILDRENS RANCH CHANNEL 6 STORY: http://www.clickorlando.com/video/22461474/index.html
KEN MOTON CHANNEL 9 STORY:
http://www.wftv.com/news/22458549/detail.html
The Brown’s are on the board of both Green Isle Foundation and Bridges of America. Check out the 990’s and Florida Corp filings. Apparently these people are well connected they have blocked every news agency in central Florida from carrying anything more on these crimes. Sheriff Gary Borders of Lake county, Fl has been involved with the Brown family in this ranch since its inception in 1987 when he was a jailer at the Osceola county jail. This involvement is evidenced by his front page summer 2009 article of the Green Isle publication “The Islander.” This publication has been removed and the Green Ilse website shut down, but copies of this publication are available! Insiders say Sheriff Borders blocked the investigation and prosecution of the reported brutal rapes of five young boys by an older student and a male houseparent’s exposure in an attempt to divert public attention to these atrocities.
Green Isle Boy’s Ranch near Groveland has been the scene of several young boys reporting they have been molested and raped by an older boy between June and November 2009 and a male house parent has exposed himself to them. They reported these crimes to the Director Rev. Steve Zepp. Ultimately Rev. Zepp was dismissed. Recently house parents Clayton and Angie Berkey have again been told by the boys of the sexual abuse against them, reported same to upper management and are subsequently no longer employed by Green Isle Ranch. Again these crimes have been ignored. It has been discovered that Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders has been an advisory board member since 1987 and is still actively involved in this school. Why has these crimes been reported to deaf ears?
REPORTS FILED IN 2008 WERE COVERED UP AND NEVER ACTED ON. The administrators at this time of this reported abuse Danny & Marta Hartzog have moved on to open Hayley’s house for unwed pregnant mothers and another state supported school for troubled children
No abuse charges at Green Isle kids' ranch
By Helen Eckinger, Sentinel Staff Writer | July 11, 2008
CLERMONT -- Prosecutors decided not to file child-abuse charges against Green Isle Children's Ranch administrators following a Lake County Sheriff's Office investigation. In a letter to parents of 16 boys who had been living at the ranch, Assistant State Attorney Stephany Mahaney wrote that she had insufficient evidence to convict Pastor Danny Hartzog, president of the ranch's board of directors; Eddie Judge, the administrator; and Vergina Armstrong, the cook, at trial. Deputies began investigating the ranch after receiving reports that the boys living there were being mistreated and fed rancid food.

Other allegations of sex abuse of the children by management from years back have been suppressed. Some documentation can be found on these. Here is one:
Suit Claims 2 Sex Assaults On Boy
March 14, 2001|By Anthony Colarossi of The Sentinel Staff
TAVARES -- A 9-year-old boy was sexually assaulted twice at a center that treats troubled children, the second time in a week that allegations of rape have been leveled at a facility for the emotionally disturbed in Lake County.
A lawsuit filed in state Circuit Court in Lake County states that the youngster was attacked at the Green Isle Children's Ranch in Clermont, both times by other young clients of the private, Christian-based program.
"Green Isle Children's Ranch attempted to conceal the atrocities" by telling the parents that the best thing for the boy was not to talk about the incidents, according to the suit filed by Orlando attorney Keith R. Mitnik on behalf of the Sumter County youngster and his family.
NOTE: A commercial article from march 15, 2001 regarding these allegation has recently been located. See the Marci Levinson story below! As stated above no actions were taken on the criminal sexual charges.
Family sues Green Isle

Date March 15, 2001
Section(s) Archives
Byline By MARCY J. LEVINSON
Daily Commercial Staff Writer


TAVARES Green Isle Children's Ranch, a Christian based agency which cares for mentally and emotionally disturbed children, has become the target of a Circuit Court lawsuit. The suit stems from allegations that a 9-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by other male juveniles on separate incidents in August and October of 2000.
On October 25, 2000, the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to the ranch in reference to a sexual battery that had occurred and were told of the activity between the juveniles. According to reports, the victim told deputies that he had been forced by the older juvenile to perform sexual favors a number of times during the preceding two months. According to reports, the situation was brought to the attention of a Green Isle case-worker who dismissed the suspect.
On December 10, authorities were called back to the ranch when a staff member advised the victim's parents, who were there to pick him up for weekly visitation, that the boy was seen entering the bathroom with another youth. When questioned by authorities, the victim said the battery of that nature had occurred three times that week. The case from the previous situation was still under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, according to reports.
Now, the family of the victim has filed suit saying that Green Isle attempted to cover atrocities that were taking place and were told the best thing for the boy was to not talk about the situations that happened. The suit also claims that the boy was attacked by his cottage parents - who are to keep the children safe.

As of January 2011, the ranch is apparently now sold and hopefully permanently closed. The Hartzog’s have moved on to an unwed mother’s scam which is easier to manage! But, not one person has ever been prosecuted for any of the crimes committed against untold numbers of young boys right here in Lake County and right under the nose of the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Lake County, Sheriff Gary Borders!

It is my understanding that the most recent problems surrounded a child abusing other children. Apparently there was no enough adult supervision of these at-risk children. I believe there was a history of similar problems before this most recent story. If you nephew was abused or neglected while there, he should probably consult with an experienced sex abuse lawyer. There may be a statute of limitation problem that could forever foreclose him from protecting his rights.

I really want more info into this because this article does not clarify if the adults were doing the abusing or other children....either way I had my beloved nephew who was there back in 2006-2007 and I really need to know!!! Thanks!