But rumors had been building about the church for years before the slaying.  In 1999, former member Ruth Chestnut notified social services that children were being physically abused and forced to work long hours in a scrapyard owned by the pastor.  Although an investigation substantiated the allegations, little actions was taken.  Shortly before Carolyn's murder, another investigation was launched regarding a child who was beaten and thrown from a window by Keyes.  The investigation revealed other incidents in which the boy had been held under water, beaten, and tied up and left overnight in front of the altar in the church.  The child was only six years old.

 

In January of 2006, Carolyn's husband Ralph pleaded guilty aggrevated murder and was sentenced to life in prison.  Several of the children involved in the church were removed from their homes by the state or granted custody to relatives who were not members of the church.

Back to News Reports

_____________________________________