The Children of the Heritage Boys Academy - Bay County (Panama City) FL

Four people are arrested on allegations of child abuse at a Bay
County boarding school.

48-year-old Clayton Maynard, 40-year-old Robert Unger, and
20-year-old Russell Maynard were all arrested. They are all charged with
one count of aggravated child abuse and five counts each, of child
abuse. 22- year-old Marcus Kurbatoff was arrested and charged with
resisting an officer during the course of arrest of Maynard and Unger.

The men were responsible for running the Heritage Boys Academy. The
academy is an all boys’ boarding school in Bay County, right behind the
asphalt plant, on Highway 231.

The investigation started Wednesday, when the Sheriff’s office got
reports that a juvenile left the facility and was reportedly beaten by
several other students who were sent to find him. Wednesday, sheriff’s
officials recovered several sticks that allegedly were used to beat the
boys.

Sheriff Frank McKeithen says allegations of abuse started coming into
the sheriff’s department as far back as of year 2000.

Department of Children and Families says the facility is not licensed
by the state of Florida to house kids. However the sheriff’s office
says special exemptions are placed on some facilities like this one,
with church affiliations.

The 17 boys were removed from the facility. The investigation
continues.