Heflin says Vine Church hiding his granddaughter

Chattanooga Times

Randy Arnold

1980

Saying he was a “concerned grandfather who truly loves and wants his granddaughter back,” Joe Heflin has accused members of the Vine Christian Community Church of taking his 4 year old granddaughter and keeping her from him and the child’s mother.

In an interview with the Times Tuesday, Heflin and his daughter told of their involvement with the controversial church for the past seven years and the reason he was charged with assault on members of the church Monday afternoon while they were preaching and trying to solicit funds.

Heflin was arrested and charged with assault after police said he allegedly struck one of the members of the Vine Christian Community Church.  Heflin was placed under $500 bond, but later released on his own recognizance.  Four members of the church were held Monday as state witnesses under $5,000 bond.

But in a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Judge Doug Meyer released Gene Spriggs, Ricky Kendrick, Gary Gilbreath and Charles Wiseman, all members of the church, on their own recognizance.  Heflin’s trial is scheduled for Friday in Judge Bill Cox’s court.

Heflin said he became aware of the church seven years ago when his daughter, Deborah, then 18, went to a meeting.  Heflin said he was skeptical of what she was getting into at the beginning, so he sent Deborah’s brother to see what it was like.

“Joe (his son) came back to me and told me there was nothing to worry about,” said Heflin.  “He said they were sitting around singing Christian songs.  I thought she had become involved with something great and I was happy.”

Deborah later became involved with James Howell, an elder of the church.  The two were married and later went to Island Pond, Vt., to live with other members of the church.

Four years ago, the Howell’s had a daughter, Spring.  The Howell’s moved to Santa Monica, Cal., where Deborah began working for the church as a secretary.  Heflin said he never lost contact with his daughter and contributed money and various items to the church.

“During the years of her involvement with the church, I gave them $2,000 to repair a house I was renting.  They did about $200 worth of repairs to it,” said Heflin.  “I gave them my parents furniture after they died.  I gave them two cars.  I would give them $200 or $300 at a time.”

Heflin said he became skeptical of the church after undergoing a cancer operation in which his colon was removed in February 1979.  Heflin said he experienced a religious experience while recovering and had spoken to Wiseman about a church he had become involved with.  Heflin said Wiseman told him that the Vine Christian Community Church was the only true church and it was the only way to find happiness.

Heflin said he then grew out of favor with Spriggs and his following.  He received letters from his daughter and son-in-law telling him that he had sinned against them and their “brothers.”  Six months ago he convinced his daughter the church was no good for her and got her to leave.

Heflin said Deborah left California, taking a car which belonged to the church but which she felt she had earned because of all she had given to them.  She had taken Spring and left her husband, hoping to get a divorce.  She came home to her family in Chattanooga, but church members found her, said Heflin.   Heflin said one day someone had written on the car, “Spriggs is Back.”  Deborah returned to Santa Monica to receive treatment for a blood disease.  She left her daughter with another sister in Montgomery, Ala.  Then one day someone took the girl.  Heflin said Police were never told of the abduction.

Deborah believes her husband is behind the baby’s disappearance.  She said by telephone from Santa Monica she has been told her child is in Vermont, but when she tries to make contact with her, she is told Spring is not there.  Deborah believes the group has tried to convince the child that she is not her mother.

The Heflin’s have set up a list of demands they want from the church.  First, they want permission to talk to and see Deborah’s daughter.  They also want Deborah’s birth certificate, which they claim the church has, so that she may get a divorce.  They also want back the furniture given to the church.

Heflin said he is ashamed of some of his actions Monday, but is not embarrassed about other actions.  “I’m sorry I cursed and made a scene.  I did not mean to do that or to embarrass anyone.  I will apologize to the brothers of my church for that action.  “But I do not regret hitting them.  My only regret is that I didn’t do a better job.”