Over 80 children were placed in protective custody after the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies conducted a child safety operation and served search warrants on two locations where they were attending camp, according to a post on the office’s Facebook page.

The sheriff’s office, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Child Protection Services), Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Columbus Junction Police Department conducted a safeguard child protective custody operation and search warrants at 10431 Q Avenue, Columbus Junction and 1101 5th Avenue, Columbus Junction (Fredonia) on June 12 – 13.

The operation was based on information and reports of child abuse and endangerment, according to the post. The agencies took protective custody of 88 children who were attendees of the Kingdom Ministry of Rehab and Recreation and the Skekinah Glory Camp. The children were taken to the Wapello Methodist Church to meet with Child Protection staff and wait to be reunited with parents/guardians.

The investigation is ongoing. The Wapello Methodist Church, Wapello Community Ambulance, Wapello Community School/Food Pantry and multiple local volunteers assisted with caring for the children.