Neighbor Grew Concerned by Teens at Church Next Door, Then First Responders Found Them Living in Basement

NEED TO KNOW

• 12 teenagers were found living in the basement of Now Faith Apostolic Church in Georgia by the Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services on Tuesday, July 29

• The CCFES noted that the church allegedly lacked “significant fire and life safety upgrades” to be considered a “board and care home” for youth

• The teens, between the ages of 15-18 were relocated later that evening for their safety

A dozen teens housed in concerning living conditions inside a church basement in Georgia were relocated, according to authorities.

Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services (CCFES) shared in a press release that their crew members discovered the 12 teenagers in the basement of Now Faith Apostolic Church while responding to “an incident” at the site on Tuesday, July 29.

They said their crew members were directed to the basement level of the facility where they found “multiple minors” — between the ages of 15 and 18 — inside rooms that contained “several beds.”

CCFES noted that the “scene raised immediate concerns regarding the facility’s occupancy use and fire code compliance prompting a notification of the Clayton County Fire Marshal’s Office for further investigation.”

The director of the church confirmed to authorities that it was being used as a “board and care home” for youth in the custody of the State Department of Family and Children Services, per CCFES. However, authorities alleged that the church was lacking “significant fire and life safety upgrades” in order to be designated as one.

It noted that the church was allegedly missing a functioning fire alarm system, automated fire sprinkler system, properly placed fire extinguishers and “compliance with all other applicable safety codes” among other things.

“Due to the severity of the violations and immediate risk to life safety, CCFES personnel developed an emergency evacuation plan,” the CCFES said, adding that personnel returned and “evacuated all minors from the premises” later on in the evening.

CCFES said their crews stayed on site throughout the night “to ensure the safety and well-being of every individual involved,” and the last child was relocated by the Department of Family and Children Services on Wednesday, July 30 at around 5:30 a.m.

“The health and safety of all residents — especially our youth — remains a top priority of Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services,” said Fire Chief Tim Sweat, per the release. “We are committed to ensuring that all faculties operating within our county meet the required safety standards to prevent loss of life or injury.”

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A neighbor of the church, Aquevia Davis, told Atlanta News First that she had suspected something was going on after seeing teens getting on and off the bus at the church parking lot.

“I was surprised that it was so many,” Davis told the outlet. “It had started to get a little bit out of hand, especially when I started to see kids running away. It seemed like they had all of their belongings.”

The property owners for the church were issued citations related to their violations, and could pay up to $1,000 per violation. Those citations are scheduled to be presented before the Clayton County Code Enforcement Board on Sept. 9, per CCFES.

PEOPLE reached out to the Now Faith Apostolic Ministries for additional information.

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