A Newport father Wednesday was awarded temporary custody

November 10, 1982 /  Charlie  /  Make A Comment  /  Legal, Newspaper Article, North East USA

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10 November 1982
A Newport father Wednesday was awarded temporary custody of his five
children by a judge who heard ex-members of their mother's church group testify
that tots as young as 3 in their religious community were whipped until blood
dripped down their legs.

    Superior Court Judge Ernest Gibson III said testimony on the allegations of
child abuse by members of the Northeast Kingdom Community Church "was a large
factor" in his decision.

    "I was concerned about the best interests of the children and I thought
they'd be better off with their father," said Gibson.

    Juan Mattatall, 40, and his wife Cynthia, 26, are each seeking permanent
custody, which will not be decided until the resolution of their divorce
proceeding sometime after April.

    Mattatall's attorneys argued his children -- aged 1 to 8 years old - were
being reared in an environment where youngsters were routinely disciplined by
beatings.

    The fundamental religious sect, which migrated to Island Pond from
Chattanooga, Tenn. in 1978, has recently come under the scrutiny of state and
law enforcement officials.

    Vermont social services officials say they are probing various reports of
alleged child abuse.  State Police, meanwhile, raided an Island Pond delicatessen
by the church group and seized financial records.

    State prosecutors say they are checking allegations of tax fraud, as well as
reports that members of the group are unlawfully dispensing prescription drugs.
No arrests have been made.

    During a daylong hearing in the Mattatall custody dispute, several former
members of the Vermont church community testified that toddlers were beaten with
rods or belts.

    David Anderson, 24, said he comforted one mother as a church member whipped
her 3-year-old son on his legs, chest and arms for about 40 minutes. He said he
also saw two other youngsters the same age beaten until blood flowed down
their legs.

    "These children were crying in fear and in horror," said Anderson, a
ten-year veteran of the church. He said that he was beaten with a thick paddle
while he was a teenager.

    Mrs. Mattatall's lawyer, Duncan Kilmartin, told Gibson that all
the testimony involved the church and did not specifically address
the custody issue at hand.

    "This has become the world versus the religious freedom of my client,"
Kilmartin said.

    Gibson said either party in the custody action may request additional
hearings before the divorce settlement is reached.

    Kilmartin could not be reached Wednesday for comment.