ST JAMES, Jamaica – Thirteen members of the St James- based religious group, Qahal Yahweh, who were arrested and charged with breaches of the Child Care and Protection Act earlier this month, made their first appearance before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

The accused individuals charged are Rebecca Gallimore, Christopher Anderson, Nekeisha Harding, Derrick Clarke, Roanalee Maitland, Alicia Meadley, Fabian Nelson, Franchain Paris, Jodian Spence, Jose Foskin, Oral Spence, Rayon Letman and Ingrid Williams.

They were taken into custody during a joint special operation of the security forces at their Paradise Avenue religious compound in Montego Bay, on June 30.

The charges come only three weeks after the children of many of the accused were placed in State care.

READ: Police conducting operation at Bayith Yahweh religious compound in St James

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The police confirmed that several exhibits, photographs, and other material of evidential value were removed from the compound by investigators.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the clerk of the court disclosed that the prosecution was awaiting one more statement and that related matters were scheduled to come before the court on August 4.

Meanwhile, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie, who represents the 13 defendants, requested that all relevant documents be served on the defence on or before August 4.

Presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley subsequently set the case for mention again on August 4 and extended the 13 defendants’ bails.

Neil Spence, who voluntarily turned himself in on accusations related to assault, had his case dealt with separately.

A social enquiry report was ordered for him, and his case was also set for mention on August 4.

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), it has been working closely with other government agencies as well as the families involved to ensure that the matter is handled thoroughly, fairly and considerately. The JCF has also stated that it is committed to protecting our children’s rights and well-being and will vigorously pursue all available avenues to ensure justice is served.

The Qahal Yahweh compound, which is located two doors away from the late Kevin Smith’s Pathway International Kingdom Restoration Ministries, made headlines in 2019 when the property was raided by the authorities, resulting in the arrest of the church’s leader and the removal of three children from the compound.

The raid follows months of complaints from residents about human trafficking, abduction, child abuse and sexual assaults.