An arrest has been made in connection to allegations of abuse at Oprah Winfrey's leadership academy, police told CNN Friday.
Besides physical abuse, the suspect is accused of soliciting students to perform indecent acts, and will appear in court on Friday.
"It's just heart wrenching that the situation even happened. It really is," Gail King, Oprah Winfrey's sidekick, told People magazine recently.
The school, promoted with tearjerker TV specials, and moving declarations from the talk-show queen of finding Africa's next leader, has since become a maelstrom of controversy stemming from allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
An internal investigation is ongoing concerning a student who reported to having been grabbed by the throat and thrown against the wall by a school worker.
The suspected abuser has been removed from the $30.4 million Johannesburg boarding school in South Africa, where 152 African girls reside.
"I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Oprah said to the devastated families of the girls in an emergency meeting at the campus, according to the New York Daily News.
Reports poured in from students of sexual abuse, and alleged that school matrons had screamed and swear at them.
"There is still an investigation. We're trying to figure out what is real and what isn't," King told People.
In a statement, the chief executive of the academy, John Samuel, said that the South African police family violence, child protection and sexual offenses unit had been notified of the allegations.
"The inquiry is being conducted in a manner that supports the safe and nurturing environment of the academy, with minimal disruption to campus life. In addition, the academy is providing psychological support and counseling services to our learners."
November 02, 2007 @ 12:23 pm
Arrest Made In Oprah's Girls' School Abuse Case
UPDATE: Gail King responds to allegations of abuse at Oprah's all-girl leadership academy.
Article tags: Oprah Winfrey, Gail King
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Comments
1.
Lahna Bronston says:
CJ, what kind of ignorant ass comment is that? How you gonna hate on a queen? At least Oprah is doing shit and not sittin on her ass. She is doing the best she can. What have you done lately?
November 13, 2007 at 10:54 pm
2.
ANN says:
its unfortunate what happen, oprah is not god and she can't do it all but atleast she's trying to do all she can, this situation could have happened anywhere and she did the right thing and the molester will get what's coming to her,my prayer's are with oprah as well as the girl's and their family
November 7, 2007 at 1:17 pm
3.
Sheryl Valentine says:
This kind of behavior is unacceptable in an arena where she was to protect the children.
November 7, 2007 at 9:18 am
4.
nomfundo nzimande says:
I am a South African and am so ashamed of the child molester at Miss Winfrey's academy. I just want Miss Winfrey and the world to know that we support her initiative and that we are in prayer with her and all the girls. The molester will get what she derseves and more. Again Miss Winfrey must not stop being the angel that she is, God will answer our prayers and it was better this happened now before it really affected the girls and destroyed Miss Winfrey's dream.
November 7, 2007 at 4:21 am
5.
BABY LOVE says:
CJ,
You are one ignorant effer. Her own people ? Those African girls she's helping are her own people. Where you mad at her when she was giving houses and cars to white people from the suburbs? ONCE A SLAVE ALWAYS A SLAVE.
November 2, 2007 at 7:18 pm
6.
Patricia Noel-Reid says:
Ms. Winfrey has done an amazing thing but uplifting the hope, dreams and spirit of girls in South Africa. I applaude her tremendous efforts. Now it is time for the country of South Africa to stand up and support what she has started. It would be foolish to think that this task is her's alone. Opportunities like this are unlikely to occur again in my life time, but unless the country see this as an opportunity this galant effort will fail. It will not be Ms. Winfrey that fails but the the lack of understanding and foresight of a Nation.
October 30, 2007 at 2:44 pm
7.
CJ says:
Oprah Winfrey needs to come to the conclusion that she is NOT God. It doesn't matter what she throws up. People are going to do what they want to do anyway. She thinks that she can save the world with her money, but she's wrong. Maybe she should try helping her own people instead of leaving the country to do stuff. She is nothing more than a puppet to her White Producers. I for one cannot wait until she goes off the air.
October 30, 2007 at 2:59 am