Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 113
Ward said that the boy‘s health had deteriorated at one point during his now seven-month
stay with the group, but that he appears to have recovered, although he still refuses to
return home. ―The police can‘t do anything about these groups. It‘s not as if they‘re
breaking the law,‖ said Ward. ‖This mother will have to wait until her son comes to his
senses.‖ (Paul Weston, Sidney Herald Sun News, Internet, 11/9/03)
World Ministries
Two Years for Neglecting to Report Death
Stanley Bennett and his wife Jill pleaded guilty to criminal nuisance for not reporting the
death of fellow World Ministries member James Killeen, a diabetic. While praying for his
resurrection, they let his body decompose, which authorities deemed a health risk. The
couple was fined $500 each and given four month‘s probation. A former housemate of
Killeen‘s said that Jill Bennett is a registered nurse, but that they do not believe in medicine.
(A. J. Flick, Tucson Citizen, Internet, 9/9/03)
Worldwide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
Owner Arrested
American Marvin Litchfield, who owns the behavior modification Academy at Dundee, in
rural Costa Rica, has been jailed there while a judge investigates allegations that the school
holds children against their will and physically abuses them. A girl who fled with the help of
the American embassy said she was asked to sign a contract asserting that nothing at the
Academy should change, ―or we would be sent to Jamaica,‖ the site of another school
affiliated with the WorldWide Association of Speciality [sic] Programs and Schools
(Wwasps).
Some parents support the program despite the charges but others are anxious to bring their
children home. (Tim Weiner, New York Times, Internet, 5/24/03)
Ward said that the boy‘s health had deteriorated at one point during his now seven-month
stay with the group, but that he appears to have recovered, although he still refuses to
return home. ―The police can‘t do anything about these groups. It‘s not as if they‘re
breaking the law,‖ said Ward. ‖This mother will have to wait until her son comes to his
senses.‖ (Paul Weston, Sidney Herald Sun News, Internet, 11/9/03)
World Ministries
Two Years for Neglecting to Report Death
Stanley Bennett and his wife Jill pleaded guilty to criminal nuisance for not reporting the
death of fellow World Ministries member James Killeen, a diabetic. While praying for his
resurrection, they let his body decompose, which authorities deemed a health risk. The
couple was fined $500 each and given four month‘s probation. A former housemate of
Killeen‘s said that Jill Bennett is a registered nurse, but that they do not believe in medicine.
(A. J. Flick, Tucson Citizen, Internet, 9/9/03)
Worldwide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
Owner Arrested
American Marvin Litchfield, who owns the behavior modification Academy at Dundee, in
rural Costa Rica, has been jailed there while a judge investigates allegations that the school
holds children against their will and physically abuses them. A girl who fled with the help of
the American embassy said she was asked to sign a contract asserting that nothing at the
Academy should change, ―or we would be sent to Jamaica,‖ the site of another school
affiliated with the WorldWide Association of Speciality [sic] Programs and Schools
(Wwasps).
Some parents support the program despite the charges but others are anxious to bring their
children home. (Tim Weiner, New York Times, Internet, 5/24/03)
