197 Responses to What’s Happening at Miracle Ranch?

1. steve schinofen
   May 20th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

   Hi my name is steve schinhofen I have been going down to MRO for 28 years I can tell you averything that I know on are web site at miracle-ranch.org this is hard to belive for most people but sad to say it is all true tony all so has both propertys in his name and they were brought with donners moneys only if your a victum please let us know we would like to connect you to your brothers and sisters

2. Michelle
   May 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

   This is an incredibly sad and frustrating story. Whether or not Tony & Edna participated in the abuse should not be the prevailing question. They allowed abusers to have contact with the children they vowed to protect and for that reason alone, Tony & Edna should step down or perhaps to save face, retire.

   It appalls me that anyone claiming to be a Christian and caring for orphans would allow children to be violated and continue on for years. Have they no conscience. How can they look in the mirror each day knowing that dozens of children have been phyiscally and emotionally scarred for life. How can they sleep at night with the knowledge that those precious children (many now adults) have nightmares, are afraid to sleep, have flashbacks of the abuse they endured as children, are afraid to love, afraid to trust and question the validity of Christianity because of the abusive behavior they endured in Jesus name.

   The experiences described by the victims are not made up for money. They are real and I know because I am a friend of a victim of the “Miracle” Ranch. She is an American citizen that proudly served her country in the Army, she is not an illegal looking for documents as was implied in another comment. My friend shared her experiences with me long before the news became public.

   To those of you who were abused at the ranch, you are precious in the sight of God, you are not dirty. The shameful behavior of your abusers is NOT YOUR FAULT. God will not allow them to go with serious consequences for their actions. Thank you for being brave enough to come forward to try and spare other children from the abuse you endured.

3. Steve Schinhofen
   May 20th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

   Hi, my name is Steve Schinhofen. I have been going down to Miracle Ranch Orphanage for 28 years. You can learn more about what I know has happened over the years on the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation web site at http://www.miracle-ranch.org . What you will read is hard for most people to believe, but I’m sad to say, it is all true. In addition to the allegations of abuse, Antonio Hernandez has two properties in Ensenada that were bought with money from generous donors to the orphanage and intended to benefit the children, but they are in his Antonio’s name and they are his personal asset. If you are a victim of abuse that occurred at Miracle Ranch Orphanage, please let us know. We would like to connect you with your brothers and sisters and to assist in bringing you healing.

4. Swink… believes Hernandez knew that there was abuse taking place | Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation
   May 21st, 2008 at 12:50 am

   [...] Read the full story at 10news or, visit the 10News investigation blog. [...]

5. Ellen
   May 21st, 2008 at 1:27 am

   I have been visiting the Miracle Ranch since 1978. My last two visits was for the Christmas program in 2007 and earlier in the spring 2008. In all those 30 years never have I ever seen the children when they were not clean, well dressed, happy, smiling and anxious to be helpful.

   I have not been in a position of witnissing the alleged abuse described, nor have any abuses ever been related to me. I not only find it extremely hard to believe that this is happening today, I also do not believe that Antonio and Edna Hernandez would have ever been a party to such abuses or condonine such abuses.

   I do not know Steve Shenhoffer and Neil Vaugh or what their motives are for bringing such horrible allegations to light after 30 years. If their motives were to help those “onetime orphans” they would have see that they are provided with psychological help. The harm that these two men are now causing thes grown people is inexcusable. If their motives are to take over the orphanage, it would seem that there are better avenues open than the drastic steps they are now taking.

   I know of the Baja Children’s Fund but I do not know Drew Belk or Mark Stratton or anyone else connected to the Baja Children’s Fund. All my contact with the Miracle Ranch has been directly with the Ranch.

   I do Not know Jose Hernandez nor have i ever seen him at the Miracle Ranch. I also do not know John Swink who has been interviewed by TV Channel 10.

   As for the generator being turned off at night, this is for economical purposes. Nothing senister there. It takes gas to run the generator. If anyone has ever seen the published Miracle Ranch budget, they would know that the Ranch is run with very little funds. I, myself, cannot fathom that they are able to continuously operate with so little money year after year.

6. Neill Vaughn
   May 21st, 2008 at 3:05 pm

   Ellen shares: “I do not know Jose Hernandez nor have I ever seen him at the Miracle Ranch. I also do not know John Swink…”

   She probably doesn’t know Dalton Webber either, who molested kids from the orphanage and along with John Swink, recruited Tony as the director in 1976.

   It is remarkable how willing people are to come to the aid of the perpetrators of abuse and question the motivations of the victims and those who come to their aid. Ellen’s own words help illustrate the problem. She doesn’t know Jose Hernandez, John Swink, Steve, Neill, Mark or Drew. Let’s do the math. If she went once a year since 1978, she was there about 30 times. If she went twice a year, she was there 60 times. If she had a 10 minute conversation with Tony each time, she has spent 10 hours with Tony over the last 30 years. If I’m only half right, she has spent 20 hours with Tony in the last 30 years. If I’m way off, she has spent 40 or 60 hours with Tony, in short discussions, usually only listening to Tony and Edna share stories that help further the perception that they have such great need. The result of such interaction, as all of us have experienced, is to fall in love with Tony and Edna and think they are the cat’s meow. Look up the meaning of the word “deception” and you will see the word that best defines what has gone on for over 30 years. Tony and Edna are masters of deception. After these allegations were brought to our attention, I researched the 30 years of board meeting minutes, correspondence, notes, records, photos, etc. and found documented evidence that abuse had taken place, including letters from Tony and Edna acknowledging the abuse. We found a 14 page report written by an intelligent, educated, former staff member. The report details incidents of abuse and Tony’s attempts to thwart the investigations. The report was submitted to DIF and resulted in Jose Hernandez, named as an abuser, to be removed involuntarily from the property. In other words, DIF (Mexican social services) believed the report to be credible enough to take action and forbid Jose from being involved, thank God. Of course, as with anyone who tried to expose the truth about what was going on at the orphanage, the staff member who wrote the letter was fired and not allowed back on the property. We have spoken to her personally, Ellen. She is another person you don’t know. She was fired for trying to protect orphans from abuse. Ellen, have you read the blog from a teacher who taught some of the orphanage children at a school in town? She experienced attacks from Tony’s supporters for trying to reporting clear evidence of abuse. Ellen doesn’t know her either, or the special education teacher who noticed the same signs. He was accused of being a pervert. Are you getting the picture, Ellen? You don’t know. You don’t know. Ellen, welcome to the club of those who have been deceived. There are many of us. Some of us though, seem to gravitate towards the victims, rather then the perpetrators of child abuse. Ellen, would you like to speak to the victims’ yourself or would you rather write another blog in support of a pedophile? Tony and Edna have many, many “Ellens” around. They don’t know. They don’t know Tony was arrested in 2003 at a motel with a 12 year old girl. They don’t know about Tony’s “other” children, not from Edna. They don’t know. Ellen, like many of us have, shares the attitude that has helped Tony, Edna, members of the Hernandez family and others to deceive. Stop it, Ellen. That’s enough. You have enough information to at least pause and not jump in and advocate for Tony. Why are we even talking about Tony and Edna? Let’s talk about Ana, Elsa, Jorge, Diana, Claudia, Eli, Yuli, Yazmin, Abigail, Gladis, Hector, Brandon, Bertalisa, Lupe, Norma, Isela, Leo, Eva, Cecelia, Gerrardo, Sergio, Juaquin, Beatrice, Roberto, Oscar, etc. etc. etc. After all, it’s a ministry to orphans, isn’t it? Shouldn’t the focus of an orphanage be on the orphans or former orphans? Oh, I get it Ellen, you don’t know the orphans. But you have been going there since 1978, right? What orphans have you kept in contact with? Whom do you remember from 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, etc? Would you like to speak with the former orphans who you came to visit? That’s who was being abused, Ellen, the very orphans you met back then. That’s who is speaking out now. But since they’re not small, young and cute little kids, you are questioning their motivation? Why? Don’t you get it? They don’t want other kids molested, raped, exploited, beaten, abused and mistreated. The victims have absolutely nothing to gain and continue to have to put up with people like you, Ellen….who don’t know. Look over the polygraph tests the victims took. Ellen, since you know Tony so well, ask him to take a polygraph. When you have gone to the annual Christmas event, did you ever wonder where all the former orphans were that Tony and Edna cared for so dearly? Why is it always the same few who are there, like employees on their payroll or who rent a room from them in town? Did you know that current staff members were raped while they were orphans living there? Steve and I, the Foundation board, the victims, former staff, former board members, and former missionaries all want the truth to be known, want healing for the victims (which is happening!) and want to raise the standard of accountability for Baja orphanages, so that children are not exploited.

7. Michelle
   May 21st, 2008 at 3:50 pm

   A reply to Ellen and others who are so willing to blindly dismiss the claims and accounts of so many abused orphans. Shame on you all. Christians huh? I find that a disgusting claim. The two men from the Baja Children’s Fund are practically accessories to these crimes themselves because of their apathy and self-interest. I hope control of that home is taken away from the two freaks who have been allowed to abuse these kids for so many years. Remember people- your own bibles say “what you do unto the least of these…” I hope Hell awaits you all.

8. maria Luisa
   May 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm

   I agree with you Michelle
   The cover up, people the owners and the doners…… that knowingly perpetuate abuse in orphaneges like Miracle ranch OASIS and other entities lDIf that has been covering up any allegation of Abuse is in its self a crime of negligence self intrest and other???? private Orphanages and foundations should be deeply monitored and held accountable for torturing and sexually abusing children and be put where they belong in jaill as for the doners in the US pehaps the FBI and Interpol can take a closer look and money laundering and other illegal activities?

   directos of child protective agencie like DIF baja california should be removed and it is my hope that moer witneses come forward and denounce the negligence on the part of this Directos since he has been the head of DIF for the past six years …..

9. Karen Robertson
   May 21st, 2008 at 8:13 pm

   This is a letter from a volunteer who spent time at the orphanage and wrote this letter to verify testimony given by several victims, including a woman who was molested repeatedly by Tony Hernandez, beginning when she was 15 years old and an orphan living at Rancho El Milagro (Miracle Ranch).

   I worked as a dorm parent in the young-children’s dorm at Miracle Ranch Orphanage near Ensenada, Baja California, from late August, 1980, to June, 1981. The orphanage had recently constructed this dorm, with a girls’ side, dorm-parent’s room in the middle, and a boys’ side. Prior to my coming, I was informed by either Tony or Edna (or both) that one of the older girls slept in the dorm-parent’s room to help the young ones in the middle of the night. My arrival meant that the older girl could return to the girls’ dorm, which was located next door. At the time of my arrival the young-children’s dorm was up, but the bathrooms had yet to be installed. As a result, any child who needed the facilities in the middle of the night had to be escorted down the hill to the outhouses and returned to the dorm. Ana Marie Camberos, who had two younger siblings (Jorge and Little Betty) in the dorm, often had “dorm-parent” duties before my arrival, and was again given that task on any weekends or holidays when I was not on orphanage grounds.

   During my year at MRO I witnessed several incidents of what I considered overly severe punishment administered to different children. I spoke with Tony on one such occasion early on, voicing my concern about the harshness of the punishment. Tony informed me, in English, that the children were used to this sort of punishment, as that was the way punishment was administered in Mexico. Being new to the culture, I acquiesced, although with serious misgivings. Hermano Juan once came to me after noticing the horror on my face shown during a punishment he administered. I think he informed me (this time the explanation was in Spanish, and I was still quite new to the language) that this was the way Mexican children were punished.

   Hermano Jose and Hermano Juan took children into the bodega to administer punishment. The door was closed while punishment went on. While I could not see the administration of punishment, I could hear blows and whimpers. I could see the bruises after the fact. I tried not to be around when children were punished, as I felt the kinds of punishments administered were too severe for whatever transgressions the children had done.

   Several of the boys in my dorm had problems with bed-wetting. Johnny wet nightly, despite my efforts to wake him up and take him down to the outhouses. Beto (I don’t remember his last name) and Jorge Camberos also had problems with bed-wetting. At some point the boys were removed from the young-children’s dorm and slept in a special “bed-wetters’ dorm” on urine-soaked mattresses. They were hosed off with cold water in the mornings (I don’t remember who did the hosing) and as part of their punishment had to wear girls’ underclothing.

10. Michelle-1
    May 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm

    First of all, there are two Michelle’s responding. I am the first Michelle that responded not the second. Although I have very deep feelings about this situation, I do not wish for anyone to spend eternity in Hell. My wish and prayer is that the Tony & Edna admit their gross wrong-doings and deceit, that they would truly repent and give those that they have nearly destroyed a sincere apology filled with remorse and regret.

    Ellen, it is so easy to be deceived by those whose lives are full of deceit and lies. Your time at the orphanage was carefully orchestrated by the directors to show you what they wanted you to see. Do you know that if a church group was coming, they would send the most seriously abused orphans on a bus to the beach? Of course you never saw any abuse, they would not let you see it. Do you think that the orphans would tell you if they were abused? Of course not, they would have been beaten after you left. They were trained to appear happy for fear of retribution.

    By the way, Steve and Neill are providing counseling for the victims which shows that they care about the “onetime orphans” as you so unfeelingly called them. They are not the problem but seem to be looking for a solution to help past victims heal and stop others from being victims.

    I am sure that you had the best of intentions when you visited the orphans as Christ taught us to do. I hope you will pray that the truth will come to light. If you could only meet the real victims and see their anguish when they remember their physical and sexual abuse. Yes, they are still anguished 30+ years later. Those who will not see the truth are only adding to their grief and pain. I pray that you and others like you will have the blinders removed from their eyes and see the whole ugly truth.

11. Neill Vaughan
    May 21st, 2008 at 8:26 pm

    A parable from the bible known as the Good Samaritan helps illustrate the perspective of those who ardently choose to support Tony and Edna, instead of the former and current orphaned children:

    25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26″What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
    27He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]”
    28″You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
    30In reply Jesus said: “Some orphans were placed in Miracle Ranch Orphanage in Ensenada, when they fell into the hands of robbers. The robbers stripped the orphans of their clothes, raped and beat them and went away, leaving them half dead. 31 A minister from Indio happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the orphans, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a wealthy American donor, when he came to the place and saw the abused orphans, not only passed by on the other side, but gave financial support to the robbers so they could continue their crimes against other orphans. This donor even made a tax deductible contribution to fund the criminal defense of one of the robbers defense fund. 33 But a Team, as they traveled, came upon where the orphans were; and when the Team saw them, they took pity on them. 34 The Team went to the orphans, investigated and learned the truth about the other crimes committed against them. The Team helped secure the finest legal counsel to protect them and represent them to seek justice. The Team listened and helped to identify 37 former orphans who were abused by the robbers. The Team helped raise the many silver coins required to provide the best legal team. ‘Look after them,’ the Team said to the attorneys, ‘give them a voice and when we return, we will continue on our journey to help orphans.’
    36″Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the orphans who fell into the hands of robbers?”
    37The expert in the law replied, “The Team who had mercy on the orphans.”
    Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

12. Kathy Schinhofen
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:51 pm

    My dear precious friends,
    My heart cries out deeply for those who have been hurt at Miracle Ranch Orphanage. I always thought this was a place where children would learn about the love of Jesus. That they would learn they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God and that He Knew them before they were concieved in their mothers womb. How absoulutely priceless each of you are. And I am honored to know each of you. And I pray God heals each of you of the hurt and brokenness you have experienced. I pray you know God’s love for you!!!
    Steve and I believed that it was such a privelage to go down to MRO. To meet the children, all of you. Your love, smiles and genuine child like faith would touch our hearts in so many ways. I believe that each of you impacted and changed our lives. And for this I am eternally grateful. We started going to MRO in the spring of 1979. Our son was 6 months old at the time. Many of the girls would play with him and make his bottle with the famous fruit punch. He loved it. At this time we would load up a truck, that we would borrow, with as much food as we could and bring it to the ranch each month. We thought of each of you, the children and Antonio, Edna and thier family as our family too! Our Love for Antonio, Edna, their boys and all of the children grew. We helped sponsor them to go to Israel with us and on a family vacation where my son played football in Hawaii. We genuinely loved them as our family and still do. When this news came to us we were shocked, unable to sleep and wept. We at first like many did not believe this at all, they are our family, we know them, we see them every month or so, this just isn’t true. But friends as we listened to the children that grew up at MRO we were shocked. Our first thought, no way! So we had some of the children take polygraph tests, with 2 different certified polygraph examiners. Many of the testimonies confirmed over and over that what we learned to be true through the poly graph test was. I pray that who ever reads this would look at the web page Miracle-Ranch.org where you can see the actual results of the tests. At this time we hoped and prayed Antonio would take a polygraph to clear his name and stop all these accusations. We sent a polygraph examiner to the ranch but Tony refused to take the test, while all the children that took the polygraph passed. Now, I pray for Antonio and Edna. I do not understand why they would not embrace the mercy of God and repent. Our God is a loving, forgiving God who made a way for each of us through the death of His only begotton Son Jesus.
    Today I pray for justice and protection for the children. Some say this is about the property. No Way! I remember praying and being a very small part in the raising money for the property. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Danville, thier missionary board raised most of the money to purchase the property. This same church supported Antonio and Edna as missionaries to the orphanage all these years until they, Tony and Edna refused to meet with thier church covering in regards to the allegations. Because of their refusal to meet with their church, the church stopped supporting them. But has continued to support the victims for which we are eternally grateful. Are we not all part of the body of Christ. Accountable to one another, our covering, our church! I pray that Antonio and Edna would know the love and forgiveness of Jesus that they would see these children who have been hurt and ask for forgiveness. Friends we are all part of the family of God. Please through the love of God lets stand for the widows and orphans!!! There is so much more I want to say! I can hardly put into words the ache in my heart and the hope for healing for all of you who have been hurt. I look forward to when we can all see one another again. I am praying for you all that you experience the Blessings of God. In the prayer of Jabez It was through his pain that God heard his cry and enlarged his territory and blessed him. You who have been hurt are so loved and God longs to heal you, to take your brokenness and make it joy.
    Tony if you read this please know the love and forgiveness of God and REPENT!!! Face these kids and let them experience the powerful love of God that Forgives.

    Love sincerely in the Lord Jesus,

    Kathy Schinhofen

13. gladys melendez
    May 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 am

    Solo quiero desir que a ANTONIO HERNANDEZ Y JOSE HERNANDEZ y EDNA complise les llego su tiempo de pagar por ABUSOSEXUAL,MENTAL,EMOSIONAL Y FISICO que y sieron pasar a mi en ese tiempo una nina indefensa inosente como los demas ninos y mis hernanos que estubieron hai tan bien haora personas adultas con sientes que lo que pasaron en EL RANCHO MILAGRO no selo de siarian a nadie cada uno de ellos tubo una esperiensia diferente muy triste dolorosa con eridas muy grandes queni con el tiempo las anpodido sanar que los an marcado por vida.y al acordarse la herida buelbe a sangrar.ANTONIO Y JOSE HERNANDEZ Y MIGUEL OLIVERA si talbes puedan logran es caparse de la justicia del hombre pero de la justicia de DIOS no podran eso tengalo por seguro DIOS que es un dios gusto que ara justicia. para las personas que los defienden y son con plises lleban el mismo destino que ellos .para las personas que piensan que nos pagaron pordesir la verdad quiero desirles que son unos ignorantes.ustedes piensan asi por que ustedes pagan por cubrir sus porquerias.por que lo que sale de tu boca es lo que llebas en tu corazon por que mejor no se lo tientan sies que tienen.

14. Abigail Boche
    May 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 am

    lo que vieron en las noticias es verdad, Si fuimos abusados terriblemente,por ANTONIO Y JOSE HERNANDEZ y EDNA es TESTIGA DE LOS ABUSOS Y COMPLISE. yano soy una nina ANTONIO HERNANDEZ O JOSE HERNANDEZ Ustedes ya no pueden amenasarme NI GOLPEARME COMO LO HASIAN CUANDO ERA NINA YA NO SOY SU PRISIONERA AHORA PUEDO HABLAR LA VERDAD SIN SER GOLPEADA O AMENASADA POR USTEDES. EDNA CON TU MANO EN LA SINTURA MIRASTE COMO ANTONIO ME GOLPEABA Y NO ME DEFENDISTE, ASTA VERME SANGRAR YO YA MUY LASTIMADA LE DIJISTE A ANTONIO QUE PARARA DE GOLPEARME. HASTA ESTE DIA PUEDO ESCUCHAR TUS PALABRAS TU ESTABAS MUY ASUSTADA DE VERME ASI Y LE DIJISTE A ANTONIO, ANTONIO DEJALA VAS A MATARLA YA DEJALA ANTONIO Y ANTONIO NO DEJABA DE JOLPEARME EL ME JALO MI PELO ME CACHETEO ME PATEO CON SUS BOTAS ME DIO TRANCASOS ASTA TUMBARME AL SUELO YO TIRADA EN EL SUELO ANTONIO ME PATEABA DESPUES ME ARRASTRABA PARA PONERME DE PIE Y SEGIA GOLPEANDOME. EDNA Y ANTONIO SE QUE USTEDES SE ACUERDAN DE ESTE DIA ANTONIO PUDISTE AVERME MATADO O DEJADO EN UNA SILLA DE RUEDAS SIN PODER CAMINAR. ANTONIO DESPUES QUE ME GOLPEASTES ALSATE TU MIRADA AL CIELO Y DIJISTE DIOS MIO PERDONAME ESTE DEMONIO ME HASE PECAR, YO TIRADA EN EL SUELO SIN PODERME LEVANTAR ANTONIO ME DESIA ANDA LEVANTATE SATANAS TU ME HASES PECAR LEVANTATE DEMONIO. YO NO ME PODIA LEVANTAR DEL SUELO, COMO PUDE ME LEVANTE YO NO PODIA CAMINAR ME DOLIA DEMASIADO ANTONIO ME DESIA ANDA VETE DEMONIO ERES UN DEMONIO Y ANTONIO DESIA PERDONAME DIOS PERO ESTE DEMONIO ME HASE PECAR. ASI ME MANDASTE A TERMINAR MIS TRABAJOS SIN CURAR MIS HERIDAS. LA CICATRIZ DE MI ESPALDA ES REAL TENIA MUCHAS MAS PERO CON LOS ANOS AN DESAPARESIDO PERO EL TERROR QUE VIVI ME A DEJADO MARCADA PUES DENTRO DE MI LAS HERIDAS AUN SANGRAN PUES AUN ME DUELE LO QUE SUFRI EN EL RANCHO EL MLAGRO ESTO ES SOLO UN POCO DELOS MUCHOS ABUSOS QUE VIVI EN EL RANCHO EL MILAGRO. YO NO NESESITO QUE LA GENTE ME CREA DIOS ES BUENO TODO LO QUE TODOS LOS HERNANDEZ Y LOS AMERICANOS VIOLADORES HICIERON EN LO OSCURO DIOS LO PONDRA EN LA LUZ PARA QUE USTEDES LO PUEDAN VER. PARA MI HABLAR DE ESTO ES MUY DIFICIL PERO SIENTO EN MI CORAZON AYUDAR A LOS NINOS QUE AHORA SUFREN EN EL RANCHO SE QUE TODOS APARENTAN ESTAR BIEN SONRIEN CUANDO POR DENTRO ESTAN LLORANDO GRITANDO POR AYUDA PERO NADIE LOS ESCUCHA PUES SON AMENASADOS PARA QUE NO HABLEN LA VERDAD. YO ESTUVE EN SUS ZAPATOS Y ES HORRIBLE PEDIR AYUDA SIN QUE NADIE TE ESCUCHE Y TE DEN LA MANO PARA AYUDARTE TODAS LAS NINAS EN EL RANCHO ERAN MIS AMIGAS APARTE DE SER MIS HERMANAS NOSOTRAS ERAMOS ABUSADAS FISICAMENTE, SEXSUALMENTE, Y ABUSO MENTAL SE QUE ELLAS ME RECUERDAN CON CARINO Y YO LES PROMETI QUE CUANDO SALIERA DEL RANCHO LAS YBA A AYUDAR PERO YO SOLO ERA UNA NINA NO PUDE HASER NADA. CUANDO ME DI CUENTA QUE LOS NINOS SEGUIAN SIENDO ABUSADOS ME DOLIO MUCHO ME PUSE A LLORAR Y ME DIO MUCHO CORAJE NO PUEDO SOPORTAR QUE LOS ABUSOS SIGAN ESTO TIENE QUE PARAR YA.
    AUNQUE LA FAMILIA HERNANDEZ ME ATAQUEN DISIENDO MENTIRAS YO DEFENDERE ALOS NINOS ASTA EL FINAL, DIOS ESTA CON MIGO, DIOS NOS ARA JUSTISIA. DREW BELK TIENES RAZON EDNA SI ES LA MADRE TERESA. PERO NO DE LOS NINOS HUERFANOS NI DE LOS DESAMPARADOS SI NO DE LOS VIOLADORES PUES ELLA LOS APOYA Y LOS DEFIENDE Y EDNA SEGUNDA MADRE TERESA COMBENSIENDO ALOS AMERICANOS QUE DONEN DINERO DISIENDO QUE ES PARA LOS NINOS ABANDONADOS EN EL RANCHO, PERO LA VERDAD EL DINERO EN REALIDAD ES PARA LOS BOLSILLOS DE LOS HERNANDEZ PUES DREW BELK ESA ES LA BERDAD TU MADRE TERESA EDNA SOLO ENGANA ALOS AMERICANOS TAL VEZ ANTONIO HERNANDEZ YA TIENEN MAS DINERO QUE TU. YO SE QUE TU ME CREES PERO TAL VEZ TIENES MIEDO DE ANTONIO POR ESO LO DEFIENDES. NEILL VAUGHN GRASIAS POR DEFENDERNOS. STEVE SCHINOFEN GRASIAS POR LUCHAR POR JUSTICIA PARA LOS NINOS USTEDES SON LOS BUENOS SAMARITANOS Y TODOS LOS QUE SE AN DETENIDO Y AYUDARNOS QUE DIOS LOS VENDIGA LA VERDAD ESTA SALIENDO ALA LUZ. A TODAS LAS NINAS(OS)QUE ESTUVIERON EN EL RANCHO EL MILAGRO O QUE ESTAN ORITA EN EL RANCHO NO TENGAN MIEDO HABLAR SE QUE NO ES FACIL PERO DIOS ESTA CON NOSOTROS SEAN FUERTES. LAS EXTRANO MUCHO QUE DIOS LAS VENDIGA Y LAS GUARDE.

15. neill
    May 22nd, 2008 at 10:55 am

    This is in response to an Arkansas Newspaper that defends Dalton Webber. Saying he is not a convicted Sex offender… he just admitted to the molestation

    Yes, Gary, with a “child molester-centric” perspective, there is a BIG difference between being a convicted sex offender and settling out of court. A HUGE difference.

    After admitting to molesting children in a civil matter that settles out of court, the molester can continue to vote, is not required to register as a sex offender, can easily move to another community that isn’t aware of his propensity to molest and he can continue to have unfettered access to children, using the same techniques that he successfully employed previously.

    If the molester is a talented community leader, like a pastor for example, he shouldn’t have any problem reaching a high status in whatever community he moves to. He can easily blend into the new community and even get involved in the same children’s programs he was involved in before or the American Legion. It’s as if he never molested any children. Talk about a BIG difference, from a “child molester centric” perspective! Many would say the leaders of the catholic church share that perspective.

    Neither Hector, nor any of the victims related to the orphanage case have a “child molester-centric” perspective, nor do parents, social workers, therapists, teachers, pastors, grand parents, police men, children-at-risk professionals, doctors, nurses and other “mandatory reporters.”

    From Hector’s perspective, who at 14 was molested by Rev. Dalton Webber, there isn’t any difference. The act of Dalton molesting Hector was precisely the same, independent of criminal, civil or even if the matter remains a secret. As a father, I can tell you I don’t see the importance of drawing a distinction between the admitted molesters who plead guilty in a criminal court or a civil court. Either way, we don’t allow them to work with children and we let the neighborhood know about his past. It’s just common sense, I think.

    Now I’m no lawyer, District Attorney, Public Defender or judge, but I think when you plead guilty to molesting 5 boys, that makes you a convicted child molester. You may be referring to some highly technical difference or maybe it depends on what you mean by “convicted.” Come to think of it, Clinton is from Arkansas, so perhaps splitting hairs on definitions of words is a local Arkansas custom.

    The industry standards and “Best Practices” literature for protecting children-at-risk don’t make distinctions for pedophiles who have a criminal or civil “conviction”. They all highly recommend not allowing pedophiles to have contact with children. The stages of grief that is a common process among victims of child abuse are identical for the victims of child abuse, irrespective of whether the respective molester later plead in a criminal or civil matter.

    In summary, I totally agree with you that, from a “child molester centric” perspective, there is a BIG difference between a criminal conviction and settling out of court. .

    That perspective is very dangerous to children and parents and is useless in the efforts to improve child safety and protection standards.

    And FYI, your investigation about whether Dalton is involved with children missed the blog (Dalton’s Blog ) where Dalton writes the following:

    “Before school started in Siloam Springs, you could see men standing in the shade along

    West Tulsa Street

    observing those fierce Panthers freely perspiring, I mean sweating, on the practice field. They were already “touched” with the spirit of the season. – Wednesday, September 12, 2007 “

    The Panthers” are the local Siloam Springs High School Football team, right?

    Men in the street watching high school boys sweat. Hmmm.

16. Marc Hults
    May 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm

    This situation is a trajedy. The victims have absolutely no motivation to lie. The victims have ALL passed lie detector tests. If this was in the United States, Edna and Antonio would be behind bars for sure and Jose and the other sick folks that were allowed to ruin the lives of these poor orphans would be incarcerated and not just, “Unavailable”.

    I’m hoping and praying that the blind eyes that have been turned toward this situation in the past will begin to see the harm that was done and not only begin to restore the suffering former orphans, but punish the responsible parties

17. Pastor Mike lanphere
    May 22nd, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    I am not deeply involved in this situation with Miracle Ranch and don’t know most of the people that are. I do know the Schinhofens however, and have known them for 10 years. The only thing I can say about them is that they are “givers” not “takers”. I’ve watched them over the years sacrifice to see that other people are helped and sometimes at a tremendous cost to themselves. I’ve never known them to have self-serving motives. Those that are accusing them of wanting the property obviously don’t know them. They need that property like they need a hole in their head.
    On the other hand, what dose it take to see that Miracle Ranch has been mis-managed from the start. I’m not sure who’s guilty of what but I am sure that the abuses I’ve read about should have been stopped and the perpetrators punished years ago. It would be impossible for the people responsible for running the ranch to not recognize that these children were being abused. It’s horrible and inexcusable. I cannot believe that anyone calling themselves Christians could allow the physical abuse I’ve read about and then to use culture as an excuse. It only confirms their disregard for the Word of God and it’s authority in their lives. The sexual abuse would not have gone unnoticed either. It sounds to me like the leaders of this orphanage were either co-perpetrators or spineless individuals who had no business running things at the orphanage. Obviously I have no patience for child abuse of any kind and when it goes on like this for years someone will answer for it, if not now, later.

18. Adrienne
    May 22nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm

    It is hard to believe that donors/board of MRO would be willing to allow the Hernandez’s remain as directors until all this is figured out. I would suggest removing them and placing a neutral party over the ranch until ALL accusations have been proven or disproven. It is our duty to protect these children from all abuse even if this type of punishment is “normal” for the culture.

19. Neill Vaughan
    May 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm

    Adrienne hits the nail on the head and highlights the primary issue, which is child protection.

    The global standard for dealing w/ allegations from potential victims of abuse, is to remove the accused from access and control over children, until an investigation and disposition is reached. That’s the standard around the world for any organization responsible for the care of innocent children-at-risk. I’m no expert in the field of children-at-risk, but a class on keeping children safe I took taught us that only 4% of abuse allegations are false. Only 4% are untrue. That statistic mandates immediate removal of an accused child molester and abuser. If only one child makes an allegation of abuse, an organization with integrity and accountability would welcome the opportunity to honor the worldwide standard and remove the accused.

    Mark Stratton, the President of The Baja Children’s Fund board who provides financial support (IRS approved tax deductible donations to fund Tony & Edna!!) ignored the allegations in the face of overwhelming evidence that abuse had occurred and has remained Tony’s biggest advocate. We were told that Mark actually told someone who inquired about the criminal case against Tony, “Well, there was a hearing, but no one showed up to testify so the case was dismissed.” Where did Mark get that information we wondered and why would he deliberately mislead someone? Mark is comfortable giving other people’s donated money to Tony w/o any accountability procedures in place. See the verbiage from the Baja Children’s Fund website or see the same text on the 10News blog:
    http://www.10news.com/investigationblog/index.html

    “What we are not:
    Baja Children’s Fund is not an oversight board with authority to directly control the activities of the ministries that we support. We have no legal standing in Mexico nor are we a legal entity or off shoot of the ministries we support.”

    Tony refused Steve’s and the MRO Foundation board’s attempts to follow a process of accountability. He stopped taking Steve’s calls and refused to participate in a due diligence process. Rather than participate in a process of face accountability and respect an alleged victim’s right to make an allegation, Tony, speaking through his attorney, disassociated himself with the MRO Foundation board.

    In an apparent effort to justify their on-going financial support for Tony, the Baja Children’s Fund writes:
    “In January 2008, a meeting was held between the BCF Board of Directors and the Mexican Board of Directors (five competent Christian men and women)”

    Here are the five competent Christian men and women:

    Alicia La Farga – She is 72+ years old and has been on Tony’s payroll off and on over a 30 year period. Alicia benefits in many ways from her relationship w/ Tony. She has never provided accountability or oversight of Tony. Instead, Alicia reports to Edna and habitually over looks abuses, such as when Edna blamed Yazmin, a 15 yr old girl for the inappropriate relationship Yazmin had w/ a 50 yr. old married staff member. After we listened to Edna blame Yazmin, Alicia told me, “I’m tired of all the lies!” A group from Washington raised ~$2,000 to repair the leaky roof on Alicia’s house in town. She has received many “perks” like that in the 30+ years she has known Tony. Holding Tony accountable would be the end of the financial benefits from Tony.

    Maria Monter – She is an immediate neighbor to the orphanage and a former staff member. Recently, Maria received a surprise visit from one of victims who told her, “You shouldn’t give testimony to support Tony, since you weren’t there at night when the abuse happened. What Jorge and the others are saying is true and if you dobt it, we can go next door and I’ll say it to Tony’s face.” Maria cried, as if she was hearing for the first time that abuse took place at the orphanage. We later learned that one time, Maria showed up at an event and saw a former orphan attending the same event. Maria immediately went to the former orphan, who was repeatedly raped by Jose Hernandez, Tony’s brother, beginning at age 6. Maria hugged the victim and said, “I know what happened to you,” and patted her on the back. The victim cried on her shoulder, as she was flooded with memories of the horrors in her past, triggered by seeing Maria. Another victim shares that Maria, under orders from Tony, shaved the young girl bald. You see, Tony was angry with the victim be4cause she told her step dad that Tony beat her, bruised her ribs, kicked her and dragged her on the ground. The nerve of this young girl, to tell someone that Tony had beaten her so bad she could barely walk.

    Jose Luis Alvares – Is a former orphan who is currently on staff and on Tony’s payroll. After a former orphan shared with him that he had been molested by John Swink, Jose Luis said, “I believe you.” And hugged the victim. Jose Luis then gave the victim a ride into town. The ride was given seconds after the victim revealed the molestation and accused Tony of molesting another orphan. Jose Luis had major surgery done to correct a deformity of his feet, when he was an orphan living at the orphanage. The surgery was paid for by generous American donors seeking to help Jose Luis have a better future. Jose gave a declaration on Tony’s behalf in the criminal case. During the deposition, he failed to mention the, “I believe you,” he said to the former orphan who was molested by John Swink.

    Antonio Hernandez – Tony is President of the board. he is accountable to no one.

    Joshua Hernandez – One of Tony’s sons from Edna and on the orphanage payroll. He’s claims to have an “outreach” ministry with many financial needs. On the orphanage website, you can see the money he is requesting from American donors, supposedly to increase outreach.

    Hugo Dinado – A leader from the Ensenada church where Tony brings the children and the American groups that visit throughout the year. (I wonder if they tithe?)Tony is relatively new to the church and Hugo doesn’t have any idea of the orphanage history. Hugo fits the historical mold of board members. He knows nothing of orphanage operations, is not familiar with DIF social services regulations, would not review any financial records since the money comes from a US 5013c and has not been made aware of the abuses that have happened in the past. Would he be the lone wolf on the board and ask Tony the tough questions? Not likely.

    The board that is supposed to provide oversight to Tony and the orphanage operations has never met with the victims never requested a meeting with victims, never asked to see the documented evidence from the 30 year record and has never gone through an accountability process. Like Mark Stratton, they simply say, “Yes, Tony” or “How High” when Tony asks them to jump. Truly, that board is hardly a model of transparency, accountability, integrity and Best Practices for board culture. It does, however, help perpetuate an environment of secrecy, deceit, fraud and a lack of accountability. Instead of allowing Tony and Jose to threaten and intimidate victims to try to scare them from testifying, Tony’s board should be escorting them to the courthouse so they can objectively evaluate the testimony.

    A former orphan who lived at the orphange was on MRO Foundation board with other members, Steve and me, when the victims began coming forward, This former orphan, who was now a Foundation board member, was able to corroborate some of the testimony that given on the video taped victim interviews. It was sad, but amazing, to see the light go on for this former orphan, who began to remember that when he was 5, he saw John Swink naked on an outing to Ensenada. When he informed his sisters that he was on the board of directors for the orphanage they asked him, “Why do you still go down to that place.” It appears, since they were a bit older and female, they too were recipients of the abuse and did not like the idea of their brother supporting the abusers. But, like the other victims, they hadn’t shared their dark history with him or anyone, but had to speak out.

    Oh….and here’s the kicker. Mark Stratton was on the MRO Foundation board, with Steve, me and other board members when the victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse began coming forward. He saw video taped interviews of the victims giving their testimony. He knows that 4 of 4 victims passed polygraph tests. We found out later that Jorge told Mark that he was abused by John Swink. Mark wrote down his e-mail address and gave it to Jorge. Mark never mentioned what Jorge shared with him. Aren’t board members of children’s homes mandatory reporters when an allegation of child abuse comes up? You expect a board member to immediately relay such a shocking allegation to the rest of the board with a sense of urgency. Mark never mentioned to other board members what Jorge shared with him. Instead, Mark resigned from the MRO Foundation board and helped launch the Baja Children’s Fund. Mark took the Foundation mailing list and used it to mail out a letter showing a change of address and name for where to send donations. Incredibly, Mark left the organization that was advocating on behalf of the victims, to help form a new board that was intent on supporting Tony. Mark joined a board that:

    “is not an oversight board with authority to directly control the activities of the ministries that we support”

    The Baja Children’s Fund board says they are committed to providing support for the children at the orphanage. Supporting an orphanage run by Tony and Edna Hernandez is like feeding a wolf who is protecting sheep, claiming you are helping the sheep.

    Since the Baja Children’s Fund has started funding the orphanage, Esmerelda, who is about 16 years old became pregnant and is no longer living at the orphanage. Alma, who is developmentally delayed, was suddenly moved after 7 years to another orphanage “that is better suited to care for her needs.” Alma was a special ed student 7 years ago. Why was she suddenly moved? Isn’t she the one identified by the special ed teacher at school as showing signs of abuse and demonstrating inappropriate boundaries. (sitting on men’s laps, etc.) her sister, Maria Luisa was moved with her. Her brother Isaías is still there. Where is Alma and Maria Luisa? Who made Esmeralda pregnant? Where did it happen? Several developmentally delayed orphans, (similar to Alma) were molested in the past.

20. Laurie
    May 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am

    It is appalling that the board of directors have turned a blind eye to what “might” be child abuse. Why would they continue to support the Hernandez’s and what they have done? What is their motivation?

    I believe that if the orphans were all able to pass lie detector tests, put Antonio and Edna to the same test.

    I am amazed at the courage, bravery and perseverance of these orphans and those that are trying to support them and assist them to have their story told.

    To stand up and tell the truth of their past is not easy yet their motivation is to protect the orphans at Miracle Ranch right now and any other children that might come in contact with the leadership of this orphanage, Tony and Edna Hernandez.

    What can you do? Please get the word out to others that might be “supporting” this orphanage and the Baja Children’s Fund. I would not want to fund any activity that “might” be abusing anyone!

21. Bethany
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 am

    My husband and I, along with our two daughters, served as missionaries at Miracle Ranch Orphanage from Feb 2005 – mid 2006. We were threatened by Antonio and Edna Hernandez when we began to uncover the lies that they have been sustaining for about thirty years. We fled the orphanage in the middle of the night, to avoid being arrested, under false pretences, in July of 2006. We believe that Antonio Hernandez arranged for our arrest and this is confirmed in a lie detector test, given to one of the former orphans (and sexual molestation victims) who was with Antonio at the time he set up these plans with his good friend, the Mexican director of Door of Faith Orphanage (Puerta de Fe) and with the corroboration of that director’s American counterpart.

    When we moved to Miracle Ranch, we were very excited about working with the children. We began to use our gifts and talents to improve communication with supporters as well as to broaden the support base that would help enrich the lives of the children. We deeply love the kids we got to know there and we miss them terribly. We dream about them at night and long for them during the day. We wish we could be with them every day, blessing their lives and showering them with love and attention. It hurts me to remember how we left the orphanage, in the middle of the night, without even being able to say good-bye to them.

    However, God called us to Miracle Ranch Orphanage for a different purpose than what we originally thought we went there for. Because of our gifts, experience and personality, we began to see some troubling things and to share them with the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation Board. This is when the Hernandezes, not so kindly, “asked” us to leave.

    For the past two years, we have been working with Steve, the president of the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation to help bring the truth to the light. Early on in this process, we read thirty years worth of documentation, correspondence, board meeting minutes, newsletters etc. (thousands of pages). We put together a puzzle of information that painted a very different picture of Miracle Ranch than what we all thought it was… We learned of other missionaries who were also threatened, only not with arrest but with their lives, when they tried to speak out about what they were seeing happening at Miracle Ranch. These earlier missionaries were like martyrs, who paved the way for the truth to be revealed. Sadly, these attempts to reveal the truth were criticized and often not believed. The truth was just too harsh a reality and people preferred to maintain their own nice impression of the orphanage, a place where they could go visit for a week or two, once a year and feel very good about what they did.

    I am glad that things hidden in the darkness for so long are now being revealed in the light. The truth is almost unbearable, but we must all be open to receiving it. It is the only way for the children who are still under the care of Antonio and Edna Hernandez to be rescued. The victims who are coming forward are all adults now, most of them speaking of this abuse for the first time. However, this is not only about horrific things that happened in the past. It continues now. We have learned some very disturbing things about children that we knew and loved when we lived at Miracle Ranch, only a couple of years ago. My heart is breaking for them. These children need our voices to speak out for them. They have no one else to defend them.

    If you want to help but don’t know what you can do, please pray. Pray and pray and pray. I believe this is the time in history for the abuse to stop, for justice to prevail and for healing to happen.

22. Linda Reese
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Great job that Channel 10 News did to reveal this tragic story.

    My heart is wrenched for the victims and pray that God in His mercy bring all to justice.

    So often we trust people that we really don’t know because the workers are so scare to do this great sacrifical work with youngsters.

    Thank you for being alert and fair in your broadcast.

    Sincerecely

    Linda Reese

23. Mick Parisi
    May 23rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    Yes, Just what is happening at the Miracle Ranch Orphanage?
    Maybe another question to ask is what is happenning in the minds of the people at DIF and the Baja Childrens Fund who let depraved and despicable people like Tony and Edna Hernandez continue to run The Miracle Ranch Orpanage?

    When will these people wake up and realize that where there’s smoke there’s fire!
    How many more physically scarred and mentally tortured grown men and woman have to come forward sharing the horrors and the abuse that was done to them at Miracle Ranch before justice is done and the right course of actions take place to insure that this will never happen again to the children of Miracle Ranch Orphanage.

    I think the only miracle here is the display of courage all these children, who are now in grown up bodies have shown by coming forward to speak the truth about the deplorable acts of violence that was done to them by Tony, his brother Jose and many others.

    Yes, there were others…people like Dalton Weber and John Swink, who were allowed to come in and sexually abuse and torture these defenseless orphans with the permission of the very person that was there to protect, nurture and care for them, none other than thier very own spiritual father Tony Hernandez.

    Thank God for Steve Schinhofen, who along with Neil Vaughan, have been “fighting” for the truth to be revealed about the reprehensible evil that has taken up residence within the walls of Miracle Ranch Orphanage. Steve and Neil have unselfishly and tirelessly been on this trail of fact finding for two years now and they won’t stop until justice is served to those responsible for damaging the innocent lives of so many children who lived at MRO through the years.

    In the 10 News report, John Swink, one of the offenders, is quoted as saying that sometimes he feels like jumping off a bridge in sorrow for what he has done to these children.
    Well I say that John Swink should consider two things before he ever decides to take that leap off a bridge.
    One is…before he jumps, He should first tie a rope to himself, then tie the rope to Tony and Edna Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Dalton Weber, and to some of the people who are on the board at DIF and then finally tie that rope to our well meaning but unfortunately equally as guilty friends Mark Stratton and Drew Belk who are on the board of The Baja Childrens Fund, and then John Swink can take his redemptive plunge off the bridge.
    And oh…the second thing he should consider is…Find a very tall bridge!

24. Neill Vaughan
    May 23rd, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    The Millau bridge in Southern France over the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains is 984 ft high, taller than the Eiffel Tower.

25. Jene C. Wilson
    May 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    Dear Channel 10,

    I commend you for the due diligence in exposing the abuses at the orphanage. It is a shame that this wasn’t exposed earlier on. Less children would have been victims.

    The Board who continues to protect the leaders of the orphanage exposes more children to the potencial of being harmed.

    These board memebers can take credit for every new child that experiences harm at the orphanage.

    Please contine to bring more light to the issue. This is the kind of coverage that will protect and stop any future mistreatment of children at this orphanage. This could also bring accountability to an other orphanges where abuse may be happening.

26. Stephanie
    May 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    When is this ever going to stop… These people need to come to justice! Also, I am shocked to think of the people who continue to support Miracle Ranch. How in the world can this so called Christian organization Baja Children’s fund still continue to support Child rapist, molester’s and abusers. How do they sleep at night after having seeing those testimoney’s of all those abused children. Unless they too are going there for perverted reasons. Why else protect such evil… The Lord will not let them go unpunished. They will reap what they so…

27. Judi
    May 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I cried because i feel helpless yet i have a lot compared to others! I want to run over there and save them but i know it will take long steps to do that. but with this ,i made a call to oscar and talked to him and he remembers my sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was busy but we are going to connect and talk! Thankyou for a connection to my true self. I saw the chanel 10 news epidsode and i feel for these people they are my friends who i have never seen before but i feel their pain. How dare someone take advantage of a childs innocence! they will pay for their meaness, curelty and straight evilness. The things that i have been through and i know happened at the ranch in esenada has made me a mother that will break the chains of wrong doings! When a child has been abused they grow up to do the same to thier own kids, but i refuse and break the chain! Thankyou for being a Earth Angel to me and please keep me in touch! judith

28. shelly
    May 23rd, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Wow, that is great that they aired that! I hope it raises more awareness, I feel so helpless in the matter, I do however make it a point to tell friends/family what is going on. Did you know there is a lady in Mexico that is a reporter that does articles all the time on abuse that goes on. I cant remember her name but could find out if you dont know of her. Someone told me she actually got kidnapped by some men because she knew too much about orphanage abuse and they were going to kill her and she escaped? Please keep me informed about what is going on, I will keep my ears/eyes open when i go down there again.

29. sue
    May 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    I saw the investigative report on 10 News. It broke my heart. I am so grateful that the truth is finally coming out. I mourn with those who were made victims by the Hernandez family and those associated with them in that manner. Thank you so very much for the hard work you are putting into bringing the light into this dark and ugly situation. My heart is with all of my friends from MRO and I’m praying for them all. I would love to have their contact information if at all possible. Thank you again for all that you’re doing in this.

30. O.F.G.
    May 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    For many years, I was ignored about my abuse. Nobody wanted to believe me. So I stopped. As the days unfold since the story came on T.V., I am remembering more. I remember that the rape was so bad, that it was hard for me to walk, so I would be kept in bed for a few days. Meals were brought to me so that I didn’t have to go out. It was strange because I couldn’t feel my legs, yet, my private part hurt so badly. I must have been 6 or 7 years old the first time I can remember penetration. When I was older and learned from other children that it was not normal to be raped, I started fighting, so a door was smashed on my finger. I tried to move my hand and so my right ring finger was placed instead of my whole hand, the door was shut and my finger was smashed. It was so bad that the whole fingernail came off. I was given bananas to stop crying. Since I was hungry, I would eat the banana and continue crying from the pain, then another banana until I was too full and the pain still didn’t go away.
    I also remember being given a medicine to sleep. All of us would be in a line and we would drink una cucharadita (1 tsp) of syrup. When we were really sick, we weren’t always given medicine.
    I remember as punishment we were placed out in the sun on our knees, with heavy rocks on our hands and forced to lift our hands out in the air. No water. At first, I would sweat, then I would get thirsty, then dizzy, then I would either pass out or be asked to get up, drink water and return to my punishment.
    In one occasion, a visitor from a church (I don’t know the church’s name) tolled Tony that a child, whose name I don’t recall, hit his kid. When the Americans left, the kid was beaten so badly, and then Tony called us all into the Chapel and started cursing at us, saying we were demons and that God needed to remove them from our bodies. We were crying and listened to him for a very long time. Finally, he got on his knees and in tears, asked God to forgive him because the devil made him say all those things. Then we sang songs and prayed until dark.
    Even thought I remember Edna as being very sweet w/me and the other 2 girls I remembered, I now realize that she did not walk the ground much unless the Americans were there. She really kept to herself in her home.
    Gamma, I believe his real name is Gillermo and Tony’s youngest (?) brother, also leaved in the orphanage. He played guitar, smoked marijuana and drank beer and alcohol in the orphanage. I know this because my brother, also an orphan, would drink and smoke with him.
    Jose would beat up his wife in front of us. And that is not part of Mexican culture. Also, when puppies were born, he would kill them by throwing in them in the air and then catch them with a stick. If the he missed with the stick, then the puppy would fall on the rocks and die anyways. Jose would also bring cats for the dogs to chase and kill.
    While Tony and Edna would bring us to the U.S. to sing at churches, Jose would stay to run the orphanage. That is when the worst beating from him came. Not that when Tony and Edna were there it was any lighter, but Jose would be more angry and hit longer.
    Tony too, would beat us until our flesh would tear. Edna would clean us up.
    Finally, did you know that Tony’s sister is the orphanage’s social worker? How is that for claiming that our allegations are false… or that it still doesn’t happen anymore?

31. Terry
    May 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    I’m glad that the general public is now starting to hear the story of Miracle Ranch. So many people have been living with it for so long. Especially those who were victims.

    Channel 10 did an outstanding job showing all of you what many of us have known for many years.

    I will only speak to what I know. I represent no one and my thoughts are solely my own. It seems as though, as in many of these situations, there is enough accusation to go around for everyone.

    The company I work for helped support the orphanage for more than ten years. Once a month, we would purchase food and other items, load our vehicles, and drive to Miracle Ranch. We provided building materials, experts from our company to build and maintain portions of the Orphanage, and we gave Christmas presents each year to the Children from the employees at our facility.

    We were not the only ones. Churches, individuals, civic organizations, and companies like Drew Belk’s were always willing to help out. It was a joyous time.

    I administrated the Miracle Ranch website for more than four years up until the allegations became known to us. During that time, it was often difficult to get information from the Directors and it was controlled carefully. I thought it odd at first, but over the years I came to accept the explanations given to me. Like much of the other behavior I saw, now, it all painfully makes sense.

    I want to say that the two men you saw in Channel 10’s Report, Mark Stratton and Drew Belk, are both fine Christian men. I consider Mark a very good friend and although I have only met Drew on one occasion, I found him to be a very sincere man. They are not the bad guys here. They are trying to maintain some life for those children under the most awful of circumstances. Just their involvement alone may be deterring the alleged evils of the past which might otherwise occur. Until this thing is finally resolved, they may just be the only watchful eye for the Children. I hope they continue to take that charge to heart.

    It has been a very long road for a lot of people. Especially those living the story like Steve and Neill. But perhaps the type of awareness that Channel 10 has brought, can finally help speed this whole thing to a just end. And perhaps then, we can once again use our focus for the current Children of Miracle Ranch.

32. O.F.G.
    May 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    I forgot to mention. What about all the girls who suddenly disappeared and nobody knows about? Like B. Where is she? I asked Edna and she said that B’s grandma did not want anyone from the orphanage to contact her. But B, like myself and J, did not have family to come visit. So where did the gradma come from? Did anybody see her leave with her grandma? And who picked up Johny? or should I ask, Where did they take him to, or what was done to him. There were other ’suddent’ disapearance of girls. I don’t remember their names. Just that Tony, Jose, or Edna would “drop them off with their parents.” Are all the children accounted for? I would like to help with that task.

33. Karen Lankford
    May 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    Thank you Channel 10 for your impartial investigation in this great atrocity. When I first heard of the allegations of sexual abuse at Miracle Ranch, I felt shock and sick. Tony and Edna had come to our church years ago and told a beautiful story about coming to help at Miracle Ranch and never leaving for love of the kids. Many members of our church, myself included, visited the orphanage in order to help with things they needed. We fixed up and helped supply a computer room and a medical room, a doctor in our congregation helped see that they had basic medicines. We planted a garden so the kids would have fresh vegetables, we played with the kids and they put on a show of dancing and singing for us. It was beautiful, we gave our money and our time. The allegations broke my heart, how did this happen for so long without anyone knowing. Then we see the past orphans coming forward with their terrible stories, the evidence increased against Tony and Edna and Tony’s brother and others. As the picture enlarged, my heartbreak turned to anger. This apparently has gone on for years, volunteers with good hearts left because they felt unable to change anything. Now we see that Neill and Steve have worked hard, as have many others to right this wrong. You, Channel 10 News, have helped bring this injustice to the public view and though you have not come to any conclusion, you have put the allegations out there so that all who have given help and money are now responsible for looking into this to inform themselves. They no longer can blindly support Tony and his group without being part of the cover-up and guilty by their refusal to check this out. To blindly follow and support people accused and now under investigation by the court system of Mexico, is to treat the past and present orphans as non-people. To abuse sexually and/or physically the most vulnerable of children, orphans left in your care, is one of the greatest of crimes. To ignore that this has been and is going on is to be part of the crime. Let us all pray for the brave ex-orphans who came forward for restoration and healing, and for the current orphans for safety, and for God’s justice against these criminals who exploit them. Thank you for your investigative team who brought all this out in the open.

34. Bill
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    Hello,

    At first I was wondering whether it was safe
    to participate in this blog, for I fear that Tony
    could do the same to me as Gabriel (the director
    of a neighbor orphanage, the Door of Faith)
    did to David Cathcart.

    David Cathcart had selflessly dedicated much
    of his life to help the orphanage directed by
    Gabriel with both his time and his money. He
    had spent years going down to the orphanage,
    fixing it up, making friends with the kids, and
    helping wherever he could. However, when he
    pointed out an accounting issue in the records
    where the numbers didn’t add up right, Gabriel
    asked four boys to falsely accuse David of sexual
    abuse. As a result, David served a seven year
    sentence, which was only reduced from twelve
    years because a competent lawyer managed to
    find the boys after they had left and learn the true
    story.

    Tony and Gabriel are both very dangerous and
    powerful men in Mexico, and I understand they
    work together, and that they both have friends
    in high places in the Mexican judicial system,
    so I believe that it could be quite tricky to
    see closure in all this, despite the overwhelming
    evidence against them.

    Anyway, despite my initial reservations, I feel
    compelled to say what I believe must be said.

    I volunteered extensively at Miracle Ranch in
    the 80’s. I knew personally most of the victims
    who have come forward.

    I can understand the initial shock of people
    like Ellen who hear the news of the abuse
    for the first time and are in denial. Because
    its difficult to believe that the orphanage
    you supported whole-heartedly with your time
    and money over a period of several years is
    an orphanage whose leaders were abusing the
    very kids that you have devoted much of your
    time and energy to helping.

    I was also in shock when I first heard the
    news a couple of months ago, but now I have
    spoken with two of the victims for hours on
    the phone and in person. After listening to
    their stories face to face, seeing the conviction
    in their eyes, and hearing the sincerity in
    their voice, I am certain that they speak with
    a pure heart, and that the events took place as
    they describe. There is no longer any doubt in
    my mind. And, I would challenge anyone to think
    otherwise after talking to the victims.

    They have no motive to lie. Steve and Neill
    have no need of the land. But, the victims do
    have every motive in the world to tell the truth
    to try to help those victims still at the orphanage,
    the current 6 to 20 year old orphan residents, who
    were not even born when the original abuses took place.

    In fact, those who have come forward are very
    brave for doing so, and should be admired for
    their courage to do what is right.

    It seems unbelievable to me that even though over
    37 children have come forward, all with horrible
    accusations of rape, molestation, physical, emotional,
    and psychological abuse over the course of the last year
    and a half, and yet the Mexican government allows the
    accused, Tony, to still be in charge of those
    children. At the very least, Tony should be removed
    from the premises, and someone else should be
    found to care for those children while the investigation
    is going on. The potential consequences are just too
    severevnot to.

    I think we as a society, owe it to the children to
    protect them, and take these accusations seriously,
    and see that justice is served so that other orphans
    (currently residing there) don’t end up with the same
    fate.

    Some undeniable facts:

    1) 37 orphans have come forward and testified against
    Tony and several other staff members of the orphanage
    for crimes including rape, molestation, and various
    forms of physical, psychological and emotional abuse.
    I understand the number is still growing.

    2) Many of these victims have taken a polygraph test.
    All have passed it.

    3) Donors continue to donate money to the Baja Children’s
    Fund to help the orphanage. The use of this money is
    at the discretion of Tony.

    4) Tony is still in charge of all the orphans currently
    residing at Miracle Ranch

    How can we call ourselves a civilized society if we
    allow this all to continue, with such overwhelming
    evidence?

35. O.F.G.
    May 24th, 2008 at 12:03 am

    I you are a victim like myself, or if you want to help more, e-mail personalities who are known to expose predators like Tony and his family. Personalities/show such as Oprah, Dr. Phill, O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Univision, CNN, Fox New Network, NBC News Network …. etc

36. Pastor James Jerpseth
    May 24th, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Thanks be to God for people like Neill who persevere and seek justice. Jesus once told a story about the persistent widow who got justice only because of her persistence.

    Through my wife’s personal involvement with this situation, I know just how hard it has been for Neill and the others. While they would not make such details known, I know that they have sacrificed much and gone through many difficult days as this all unfolded. Not the least of which is giving up their dream of being missionaries to these children in Mexico and have instead become reformers and whistle-blowers. While nobody (especially Neill) would bring this to light, I think it should be mentioned.

    But this post is for all the fellow Pastors of Churches out there — and well meaning Church people.

    Just last week, an elderly woman came to my office looking for our Church to suport her orphanage in Mexico. Having known about the allegations at Miracle Ranch, I listened and looked at all her pictures of cute children playing.

    Right then, I caught some of either her neivette or her cunning (don’t know which) as she told me that she could take an initial support check right then and come back on Sunday for more.

    I began to ask her about oversight of both the children and the money. I began to ask if the workers and volunteers were screend and trained to work with children.

    All of this seemed to upset her as I became more adamant that I would not like to sit down and talk about becoming a sponsor for the orphanage until certain questions were answered.

    The suspicious thing was that she did NOT want to leave her contact information or a card.

    Wether or not this was just another scam or someone out there trying to find new orphanage sponsors, I’ll probably never know.

    But I do think that we should all be alert to the sneaky and evil people out there trying to hurt children and their willing or unwilling acomplices. Or trying to use children for their own purposes.

    Pastors and other Christians wishing to help — don’t be afraid to ask questions before you help or support someone helping others. The money and volunteers we have are merely entrusted to us — we must be good stewards.

    Remember — the shepherd has only gone away for a while but while he is gone, we are the ones who are to provide love and service in His holy name. And I know that Jesus would want us to help others in need not feed the egos and line the pockets of evil people like Tony and Edna.

    This woman was charming and I can see how she could lure people into helping her. But as soon as I pressed for answers, she headed for the door. She is probably still out there going from Church to Church looking for money — be aware.

    Pastor James Jerpseth
    King of Kings Lutheran in Oceanside

37. Mick Parisi
    May 24th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    In reply to Terry (Blog of May 23rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm)

    The last time I checked the enemy doesn’t come to us holding a pitch fork with horns coming out of his head. No instead the enemy comes to us with a hand shake and a smile. He may even quite possibly come to us in the form of a “fine” freind or a “sincere” acquaintance.

    If Mark Stratton and Drew Belk are cast as the “watchful eye” for the children currently at the orphanage, then I have to ask…who’s watching them!

    Are not these two men on the board of the Baja Children’s Fund? Is not this the very same organization that is financially supporting Tony and Edna Hernandez to continue to run the orphanage that is in question here.

    If these are men of Light then why is it that they do not have the ability to discern and dispell the darkness that continues to envelop itself around Miracle Ranch.

    In my mind, even if only one person came forward with their story of abuse at the hands of Tony Hernandez it should have been enough to have Tony removed immediately until he was proven innocent. But instead after no less than 37 people have come forward, Tony is still being supported as director there.

    What is wrong with this picture? Could it be that Mark and Drew believe Tony to be a “fine” and “sincere” man like themselves.

    I think Stephanie (Blog of May 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm) is on to something!

    …And the darkness could not comprehend the light. John 1:5

38. Neill Vaughan
    May 24th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    Mark Stratton did choose to sleep in the boys dorm, on the occasions he visited the orphanage. I believe his longest stay there was 30 consecutive days. While we lived there, he came several times a year. Sleeping in the boys dorm would mean he would share bathroom facilities and showers with some of the boys. We donated a tiny house, that are built by Hands of Mercy for needy Mexican families in Baja. It’s a small design, but sturdy, stick built, has windows and a locking door. It has a main floor w/ a small loft. after it was built, my wife showed the house to Mark and said he and other visitors could stay there when they came to visit. Mark responded that he preferred sleeping in the dorms with the kids. I share this story with a good reason. Curtis Belk, a Baja Children’s Fund board member and Drew Belk’s brother, told a women who inquired, that John Swink, the convicted child molester, was at the ranch BEFORE was there and that Tony never knew him (John); Curtis told her that all those molestations by John & Dalton Webber happened while Fred & Betty Christiansen, the founders, were there. In other words, “Yes, orphans were molested…..but Tony and Edna didn’t work there yet. What Curtis told her, is clearly false and contradicts the evidence in the written record, including an orphanage brochure from 1977 and John Swink’s resignation letter from 1978. (See the brochure on Kerstins, the reporter’s blog. There is a hyperlink to the brochure showing Tony as Administrator w/ John Swink on the board) Why would Curtis, a board member for BCF, mis inform an objective caller who was trying to sort out who was telling the truth? Didn’t he check the record before giving out that information? If Curtis didn’t check the clearly documented record, maybe he simply asked Tony, who misled him. Either way, Curtis learned or already new he gave false information, critical to assessing Tony’s role iand integrity regarding the molestations by John & Dalton. If Curtis irresponsibly, but innocently shared false information to the caller, he would have learned two things by being corrected on the facts: 1) Tony knew Dalton and John, was the Director when the molestations occurred on and off the property and would have authorized boys to sleep with John Swink, alone, in his camper and in an Ensenada hotel. Tony and Edna should have been removed as Directors, even in the unlikely event they were foolish and ignorant enough to know molestations were happening. Their responsibility is to keep the children safe, not let adult men sleep unsupervised with orphan boys. What a terrible and unsafe practice that was. Now back to Mark sleeping in the boys dorm and sharing bathroom and showers. If Tony and Edna innocently let adult men molest orphan boys and later learned what was happening, would he allow another adult male, Mark, to sleep in the dorms? Wouldn’t Tony have learned from his “mistake?”. It’s not likely that Tony and Edna forgot that John Swink molested orphaned children. so why would they allow Mark to sleep in the dorms? That’s not prudent, safe, “above reproach” and does not show any common sense (On Tony, Edna’s or Mark’s part) People who truly care for children-at-risk proactively practice behavior that reinforces healthy boundaries. Reinforcing healthy boundaries helps the children know when an adult is behaving in an unsafe way. Saying, “I am there for the kids sake,” just isn’t a credible statement, when you repeatedly practice behaviors and habits that do not educate children on healthy boundaries.

    This information will clear up any misinformation.

    The Foundation records clearly show Tony and John Swink crossed paths.

    1) Page 3 of the 1977 brochure has Tony’s picture and lists John Swink as a board member.
    2) Meeting Minutes show Tony worked at the orphanage and attended meetings with John Swink and Dalton Webber
    3) John Swink and Dalton Webber voted with other board members to add Tony to the board in June 1977
    4) John Swink resigns from board, (see attached letter) more then a year after Tony was promoted to Administrator.
    5) After John Swink’s molestation issues show up in the board minutes in 1983, Tony says John can still work at the restaurant in town used for vocational training for orphan children. As long as he is supervised, of course. Crazy, huh?

    Meeting Records Show

    1976 – November 6, 1976 – Tony listed as Director in board meeting minutes
    1977 – June 11, 1977 – Tony added as board member (John Swink votes yes to add Tony to board)
    1978 – July 1978 – John Swink resigns from board
    1983 – February 27, 1983 – John Swink identified as a pedophile in records.

    Drew Belk, writes, “My family has been involved with this ministry for over thirty years and I have personally known Antonio Hernandez since 1966.” If the Belk family knows Tlony so well, wouldn’t they know when he became orphanage Administrator? Wouldn’t Tony share his broken heart and guilt with the Belk’s that children under his care were molested? Curtis had no business giving out misinformation, to someone who was trying to objectively to discern the truth. This cavalier attitude towards facts illustrates how the Baja Children’s Fund board has helped to mislead, either inadvertently or on purpose, when they are approached by people who are seeking to learn the facts. It’s either cavalier…….or it’s on purpose. Could it be that Curtis, having known Tony since 1966, is aware of the abuse that occurs at the orphanage? Why would Gene Belk, Drew and Curtis’ father, write a letter to the Foundation board, advocating on behalf of Jose, Tony’s brother? Jose was involuntarily removed from the orphanage staff by DIF social services for abusing children (Attempted rape of an orphan girl) OK, here we go again. Let’s think about this for a minute. Here are the options 1) The Belks WERE NOT aware Jose had abused kids when advocating for him to return to the orphanage staff or 2) The Belks knew Jose had attempted to rape a child and was involuntarily removed from staff, but believe that’s no reason to prohibit him from working with children. Since you can’t have your cake and eat it to, we can draw some conclusions from their actions. Pick one:

    A) Although they have been acquainted with Tony since 1966, they really aren’t that close and certainly have no business pretending to be so knowledgeable about the orphanage history and key events regarding child abuse and molestations OR

    B) They don’t know what’s gone on, but habitually, repeatedly and innocently pass on misinformation that always favors and supports Tony’s well being. When the record and evidence shows the information they pass on is false, they are too busy to retract the false information and communicate the correction to whomever received the false information.

    Below are some examples of misinformation that Tony and his supporters have said: Remember, the following A-Z list are FALSE information that has been spread by Tony, Edna, Joshua and the Baja Children’s Fund board

    A) There isn’t a criminal case against Tony it was dismissed B) Tony wasn’t there when John Swink and Dalton were there C) Tony found out about the abuse and got rid of those guys (Swink & Dalton) D) Tony and Edna have proof that the victims were paid money to give false testimony E) Some of the victims later retracted their statements, proving they gave false testimony F) There is a criminal case, but the authorities aren’t taking it seriously because they are aware of the questionable motives of the foundation board G) Tony and Edna didn’t deliberately lie about authorities coming to arrest Neill H) The intention of the Foundation board in 1984 was to gift the orphanage land to Tony. I) Jorge is a drug addict J) Neill and Steve paid former orphans, now adults, to make false testimony against Tony. J) On the initial videotaped victim interviews, the translation from Spanish to English wasn’t precise, rendering it impossible to discern whether the victims are telling the truth. K) Steve and the Foundation board want to construct a resort hotel on the orphanage property and turn it into a “Club Med.” L) The Channe10News team refused to listen to testimony and refused to look at documents that clearly exonerates Tony and Edna M) The victim accusing Tony of repeated molestation never slept in a private bedroom in the little children’s dormitory N) Tony and Edna never knew that Tony’s married brother Lucio was molesting an orphan girl O) The MRO Foundation board prohibited members of the Baja Children’s Find board from meeting face to face with the victims P) The Belks paid a large portion of the money used to pay for the orphanage land. Q) The Belks have been actively involved with the orphanage since Tony became the director in 1976 R) There are no documents showing molestations occurred in the past while Tony and Edna were the directors S) There have never been allegations that Tony and his brother Jose were selling donations of toys, furniture, clothes, etc. and not using the money to benefit the orphanage T) Tony has never given a threatening letter from his brother to a missionary family, resulting in their immediate departure (1998) U) Staff members who advocated for better care and treatment of the orphans have never received anonymous threatening letters, including a death threat. V) After Jose was kicked out of the orphanage for abusing children, Tony and Edna never allowed him to return to the orphanage property W) The social worker investigating accusations of abuse on behalf of DIF (Social Services) was not a personal friend of Tony, who is listed as a witness on his will X) Gabriel Diego Garcia is not a close personal friend who also served as a witness on Tony’s will. Gabriel Diego Garcia is the Administrator of Door of Faith Orphanage, who threatened and forced 4 orphan boys to falsely accuse David Cathcart of molestation resulting in his arrest and incarceration for 7 years. David was completely exonerated when all 4 boys, older and not under Diego’s control, said they were threatened by Diego to make false allegations. David never molested them. Y) Dana Joseph, known as DJ, is the Director of Door of Faith orphanage, not Gabriel Diego Garcia Z) In 1984 when the Foundation raised the money to purchase the orphanage land, Tony gave accurate information to the foundation board, about the best , most secure option for holding title to the land, to ensure it would always be used to care for orphaned children.

    Wow. I got through the whole alphabet, listing some of the misinformation and falsehoods that have been spread by Tony, Edna, Joshua, Mark, Curtis, Drew and Tony’s key supporters. To be clear, everything on the list above is a falsehood, with documented support.

    Please contact me or the MRO Foundation board through the Channel 10 reporter if you believe any of the above listed falsehoods to be true statements.

39. Mick Parisi
    May 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    Neill I didn’t think this was possible, but you have successfully outraged me even more than I was before with your A to Z list of lies that have come from these snakes disguised as people.
    Now I am even further convinced that John Swink does have the right idea….Taking a leap off a very tall bridge!

40. Kathy Schinhofen
    May 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

    Dear friends,

    Steve and I started going to Miracle Ranch Orphanage in the spring of 1979. We went every month for about 19 years. The following 9 years we went to the ranch at least 6-8 times a year. We went to the Christmas program each year and tried to bring groups down as often as we could. But I, Kathy, have never met Drew Belks. I am sure Drew is a Godly man who means well. But are we not all the body of Christ. I am grieved to hear of his personal attacks on the character of my husband Steve and our dear friend whom we met at MRO, Neil Vaughn. I have never seen such Godly men as Steve and Neil who have cried, grieved and given their lives at the cost of their own families to embrace the hurting children that grew up at MIRACLE RANCH ORPHANAGE and to bring the truth out to protect the children that are now at MRO. Neil and Steve -I thank you with all my heart. Jesus said in scripture what ever you do to the least of these you did to me!!! You both have heard the cry of the hurting, you have humbled yourself to be nothing to hear the broken hearted, abused and abandoned. Thank YOU! Please body of Christ-Lets stand together for TRUTH. Let’s simply bring accountability to the accused. Have them take a Polygraph test, face their accusers and answer to the board that has supported them all these years. Is not our faithfulness all these years account for something? Our friendship to Antonio, Edna, Joshua and Jose all these years account for something. We all talk about the love of God, or the concern for the children-Well I ask you, how can you dismiss Steve and Neil? Neil sold his business, brought his wife and two beautiful girls and lived at MRO for some time living in a tiny travel trailer. He and his family are dedicated to the children to the point of giving 18 months of their lives at the ranch. This family threatened fearfully to the point that they gathered their girls and left at midnight leaving the country. I was there! I saw the fear in their hearts and the indifference in the face of Antonio. At the time I thought to myself why does he not like them-well I understand now. I was there! I would gladly talk to anyone. There are board minutes, letters in Spanish, etc. that prove so many of these allegations. I trusted Antonio and Edna at their word. And I will forever regret not being more persistent in holding them accountable. Now sadly I know I never really knew them. The joy it is as Christians to confess our sins to one another and know that God forgives us. I have a church family where we live God’s word. And I am so thankful!! I would also like to mention a missionary family who lived at MRO for over 8 years. The entire family served the Lord, by serving and giving their lives at MRO. Their lives where threatened because they asked questions? They also left MRO afraid. I should have done more then. But I like so many didn’t know for sure, wanted to believe Tony and Edna, wanted to protect the children-Lord Jesus Forgive Me-Friends Please Forgive Me? How about previous Board members-one particular couple did the books for MRO. The board treasurer-Well they also received threats on their lives because they asked two many questions. We never knew who wrote the threat letters but I have personally read several of them. I would gladly take a polygraph to prove this. Please forgive me friends? I WAS SO WRONG.

    TODAY LET’S STAND TOGETHER FOR TRUTH. LET’S REQUIRE ACCOUNTABILITY. THERE SHOULD NOT BE A NEW BOARD WHO IS UNWILLING TO WORK WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED MIRACLE RANCH ORPHANAGE FOR YEARS. HOW CAN A DIRECTOR DISMISS A BOARD AND GET A NEW ONE. WHERE WOULD ANY OF OUR CHURCHES BE IF THE PASTOR LISTENED TO NO ONE. BODY OF CHRIST LET US STAND TOGETHER THIS SHOULD NOT BE. THESE CHILDREN NEED PROTECTION!!!

    Moving on, there is one more thing I would like to mention. At Christmas many of you would bring gifts for your sponsored child and some churches would bring gifts for all the children. For many, many years New Wine Church would do this as well. They would get a list of the children, including staff children, and spend countless hours buying and wrapping gifts for the children. Then they would celebrate by having a Christmas party for the kids. Several of the adult children have shared that after the Americans would leave, Antonio would take the gifts away from the children. They would never see them again. Can you imagine what that must have been like for these children? What must they have thought? Don’t I deserve it, did I do something, and am I loved? I also have seen garage sales at the youth house where toys, clothes, etc., have been sold. Jose also has a second hand store where he sells things. Well, this is just another way the children are given a hidden wound of the heart. And it will affect them. Some of the adult children share how they are over protective and want to show their children security and love in all aspects of life.

    I am praying for you all.
    In His Love,

    Kathy Schinhofen

41. Bill
    May 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    I can confirm Kathy’s comment about children’s
    gifts from Americans being sold the day after the
    American’s would leave.

    Both of the (now adult) X-orphans I spoke to, said
    the same thing. So they found it hard to smile
    when they received the gifts. But, when Americans
    would take pictures to show to those who had given
    the gifts back home, Tony told them they had better
    smile or there would be “consequences”.

    How awful… Depriving an orphan of their only
    birthday present just to make a few dollars on
    the street.

42. John Stephens
    May 25th, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    In August of 2007, John Stephens wrote a letter to Steve in support of Tony and highly critical of Steve’ and the Foundation board. (see below)

    John’s letter to Steve and the comments and criticisms he levels, illustrate another example of how those who support Tony resist accountability. Also, as w/ Mark and Drew, John bases his perspective and comments on false information that gets passed around w/o being able to identify the person who is source of the false information. F

    or example, In his letter to Steve, John asks why Steve continues to pursue the matter, when the criminal case against Tony has been dropped. The culture of fraud and deceit that envelops Tony and Edna is easily exposed when a filter of accountability is applied. Who told John, the criminal case against Tony was dropped? Who benefits, if everyone thinks the criminal case is dropped? Over the last 18 months, several people, such as Mark Stratton and John Stephens have given others the impression that the case against Tony has been dropped.

    Steve and the Foundation board wanted to share the facts related to the status of the criminal investigation against Tony, to ensure people had an opportunity to know the truth, in the face of so much deceit. The Foundation pposted a letter on their webite, giving a status of the investigation.

    Below is the e-mail John sent to Steve in August of 2007, 9 months into the criminal investigation against Tony:

    Steve,

    Please pull this letter if it is outdated. The matter seems to be resolved and I would expect a prompt removal of this letter from your website.

    In response to your letter…

    It is difficult to understand the allegations and motivations you have presented here. Steve, I have met you before and I always thought the best interest of the kids was always our motivation in serving this orphanage. I am not seeing that through the letter you have presented. The allegations are difficult. I understand that. Looking into those allegations are also due responsibility. A relationship that has been established with Tony, Edna and Josh also needs to be considered.

    I have been associated with this orphanage for over 17 years. I lived at the orphanage for one year back in 1992. My friends that at the time were in their late teens, Jorge, Pancho, Juan-Gabriel, Norma and Josh are still considered like family to me, even though I haven’t seen any of them (except Josh and Jorge) for over 15 years. I have had many in-depth conversations with each of them about their life before and during the time at the orphanage. At no time during that period did they ever mention even a hint of sexual misconduct on the part of Tony or anyone now involved in the orphanage. (They never mentioned anything to me about any misconduct) I had the type of relationship with each of them that would allow them to share anything that might have happened. Jorge and I spent a week together last summer when my group was serving at the orphanage and we talked and laughed about the old times at the orphanage. We had a great time looking back to a good period in his life.

    I have served faithfully since then leading groups down to the orphanage. The motivation always has been to do what is best for the kids. As Josh and Brenda now have taken over many of the day to day operations of the orphanage, I find it difficult to find your motivation in cutting resources and sending out mail to potential groups and people that can have an impact in the lives of these kids. The kids have impacted you, they have impacted me and they have impacted thousands of other people around our country for Jesus. Ministries that have nothing to do with the orphanage are alive and running because of the impact of this place in the lives of young adults up here.

    If you feel the kids are in immediate danger then I can understand your motivation. I however continue to spend time down there, my students continue to serve as interns, (this summer I have another student serving for a month) and we have found zero reason for concern. These kids are loved and served. This place has been blessed by God and will continue to be blessed.

    Steve, I challenge you to take a step back from ulterior motives and to see the orphanage, the kids and the people who have served faithfully doing a job that you and I only wish we had the time and patience to do.

    If this letter is outdated, pull it off the on-line site. If you say you are going to continue with further correspondence then be a man of your word and do it. Also let people know how the needs of the kids RIGHT NOW are being met financially. Your site is pulling needed funds away from the orphanage and I want you, someone who I think still cares about the livelihood of each of those children, to be able to explain how they are surviving without these funds.

    Thank You.

    John Stephens

43. Neill Vaughan
    May 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    John made made the following critiques and observations:

    Criticism

    1) The criminal charges against Tony have been dismissed, so stop it!
    2) What is your motivation to publish these allegations?
    3) You are not putting the children’s needs above your own
    4) You are not respecting the relationship w/ Tony, Edna & Josh
    5) I lived there for a year and saw no abuse
    6) Some former orphans are like family to me and they have never shared anything about past abuse with me.
    7)I had the kind of relationship w/ former orphans that they would have opened up with me if they had been abused.
    8) I have been associated w/ the orphange for 17 years and I would know if abuse was happening.
    9) My motivation has always been what’s best for the kids.
    10) Since the orphan children have impacted thousands of people for Jesus, stop trying to get people to stop funding the orphanage.
    11) I have found zero reason for concern
    12) If you say you are going to continue with further correspondence then be a man of your word and do it.
    13) The MRO Foundation website is pulling needed funds away from the orphanage
    14) Your actions are influencing others not to give
    15) I want you, Steve, someone who I think still cares about the livelihood of each of those children, to be able to explain how they are surviving without these funds.

    Of all the comments John makes in his e-mail to Steve, here’s my personal favorite:
    “Steve, I challenge you to take a step back from ulterior motives and to see the orphanage, the kids and the people who have served faithfully doing a job that you and I only wish we had the time and patience to do.” Drew Belk used the phrase “ulterior motive” on the interview w/ Channel 10News, to justify why he and the Baja Children’s Fund continue to stand by Tony and fund the orphange.

    If Tony told them the case was dropped, it is revealed that Tony is a liar, since the investigation remains open, pending and continues on. When John found out that the case was in fact open, did he use his gift of critical thinking and point it towards Tony or the people who are trying to cover up severe, serial and psychotic abuse against innocent orphaned children?

    here was my response to John’s e-mail:

    Hi John…

    Based on a discussion I had with Jorge, I think you over estimate your relationship with him. He is interested in talking to you, now, though, in light of your e-mail which is critical of MRO Foundation. Perhaps he may share about deeper subjects that won’t enable you and Jorge to share laughter together, as you have done in the past. What will you do with the information he shares with you, John? You have taken the time, in your ignorance of the facts, to send an e-mail critical of the foundation board, which is serving as advocates for adults, formerly orphans who are alleging abuse. Are you foolish enough to take issue with advocacy for orphans or alleged victims of abuse? Use your head, John. Do you think the attorney for the alleged victims and the Mexican authorities have found other evidence supporting the claims of the alleged victims? You are taking a position in complete ignorance, with the naïve idea that spending one year at the orphanage, with an over inflated perspective on how close you were to Jorge, puts you in a position to speak with authority on whether abuse has taken place at the orphanage. I’d just like to challenge your belief that you, with your 17 years of experience, know the history of the orphanage.

    If you were there in 1992, was Jose Hernandez still working there? Did he voluntarily leave? Why did he leave? Did you meet Ed and Debbie? Do you know when and why they left? Do you remember Lulu? Do you wonder why Jorge didn’t come to share his testimony at the fireside chats you had with your group last year?

    It’s important to understand that, aside from civil litigation, the foundation board isn’t a party to the criminal lawsuit. Several former orphans, including Jorge, have come forward and are making allegations. Many of our board members are legally mandated reporters, in the event we learn of sexual abuse that is being alleged, in the USA, but we don’t have that legal obligation in Mexico. Our moral obligation is to serve as advocates for orphans, or former orphans. People like Tony, Edna, you and me will come and go, but there will likely always be orphaned children.

    You’re arrogant to say you have served faithfully. That loyalty is rare in anyone, including Christians. Men like you and me are fickle, stiff necked, stubborn, ignorant of God’s ways and full of pride. Let’s see what your definition of faithful is after Jorge shares with you. You strike me as a priest and a Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan. After you speak with Jorge, and maybe research the orphanage history a little more carefully, you’ll be in the position to make a decision. Will you support the legal right of former orphans to formaly declare their story of abuse in front of an authorized Mexican official? Perhaps you’ll call your dear, close, brother and friend, Jorge, a liar. He must be lying, right, John? Someone is lying. To set the record straight, if Jorge, or any of the alleged victims and former staff, gave false, sworn testimony to a criminal investigator, they have committed a serious crime in Mexico.

    Let’s see what kind of leader you are, to your students after you speak with Jorge.

    Call Tony’s attorney if you think the case is closed. And be a man of your word. If the case is still open, correct the false information with anyone you have told. I will ask you John, is the case closed? Who are you getting that information from? Do you even know who has testified? Do you know what they have testified to? John, is the case closed?

    Mark Stratton told Steve S. the orphanage’s financial needs are being met. Mark told Steve that 90% of the donations that were previously going through the MRO Foundation are now going through the Baja Children’s Fund. Who told you that wasn’t the case? The foundation board has never turned down a request for anything, since no request has ever been made. You’re like a puppet, repeating information you have been told, but have not researched yourself.

    Let’s talk after you speak with your dear friend Jorge, o faithful one. It’s about accountability, John. You have made statements and I’m asking that you back them up with evidence. Is Jorge a liar? Before the criminal filing in Nov 2006, has there ever been abuse reported from orphans at Rancho El Milagro? Have any staff members been involuntarily removed due to reports of abuse? Is the criminal case closed? Based on a review of the attached child protection policies, how do the orphanage policies measure up?

    Sincerely,

    Neill

    To my knowledge, John never called Jorge, someone John described as “like family”.

    Someone lied to John or John is lying. It’s really so simple to reveal the evil using a process of accountability. When Tony’s supporters are so bold as to go on record, on TV News and to draft letters documenting their perspective, it eliminates their ability to deceive. The fact is, they have no power when the light of accountability is shined on them. Misinformation is passed on by Tony and his minions, with the hope that most people get confused and aren’t motivated to invest the hours reuired to reveal the lies. For a month or so, several key supporters were furthering the lie that the criminal case against Tony had been dismissed. There are several easy ways to verify if there is an open, pending and criminal case against Tony.
    1 – Ask Tony
    2 – Ask Edna
    3 – Ask Josh
    4 – Ask Tony’s lawyer (Tony has his number)

    Edna’s letters and other correspondence always seems so open and inviting wanting to ensure everyone that all is well, they have nothing to hide. Ask us anything you want, come visit us. Think deceit, every time you read Edna or Tony’s words. They appear one way (nice, humble, open, spiritual) but it is so easy and really simple to catch them in a lie, once you truly approach the matter with accountability. Accountability helps to ensure that children are safe and that donations are used for their intended purpose. For example, if LeapFrog donates 5 boxes of beautiful, helpful, educational demonstration unit toys in Spanish, you would expect a few of the kids would know how to operate the toys, right? You would see the toys around the orphange, right? Once the 5 boxes arrived from the generous VP of Sales in Emeryville, CA, i saw only one toy being used by one child….Zuri, Edna’s grandchild. In 5 boxes, I would estimate 20 or more expensive, stimulating, educational, fun, exciting, top of the line toys. I never saw them again and I lived next door to Tony and saw the kids every day. Accountability, people. Don’t give us excuses. Be a “doer” a person of action! Someone broght 3 school backpacks for the cjhildren they sponsor and Josh took them. A short time later, the sponsor returned and asked the kids how they liked their backpacks. Anyone surprised that the kids had no clue what their sponsor was talking about? The sponsor returned with three backpacks and, this time, personally gave them to the children. By the way, they can still be taken from them, even if you give it directly to them, since you’ll be gone in a few hours and won;t be back for a year. Accountabilty, not excuses. Don’t tell me why they don’t have their back packs. Don’t use words. We want to see the kids with their backpacks.

    Accounatbility: Esmerelda is a gifted athlete, is intelligent and beautiful which makes her vulberable to danger. The BCF children’s Fund and Tony have fostered the idea that since many of the allegations are old, the kids that are there aren’t in any danger. Esmerelda is pregnant. She was recently removed from the orphange. Accountability. We told a Baja Children’s Fund board member about Esmerelda. He casually, responded, “Oh we knew about that,” as if that’s an acceptable answer. Accountability. Who is holding Tony and Edna accountable? How did Esmerelda get pregnant? What measures are now in place to prohibit a repeat scenario……Oh wait aminute, this is a repeat scenario. Esmerelda isn;t the first resident of Rancho El Milagro to get pregnant. Yazmin (16) and Eulalia (Developmentally delayed and couldn’t tell the investigator what year it was) were taken for pregnancy tests in 2006.

    One vicitm testified that an orphan girl ahd to get her femine pads from Jose, each month she had her period. The normal pattern for the girls was to get what they needed from Edna. But, for some unknown reason, this one girl had to get her products from Jose. Hmmmm. Why would jose hernandez be interested in monitoring the menstral cycle of an orphaned girl? Why would Edna allow Jose to dispense the items to just this one girl? Shouldn’t Edna or the dorm supervisor keep track of the menstration patterns of the girls? Isn’t that an important health issue?

    My daughter received as a gift, one of those Leap Frog educational globes w/ the rubber tip pen that can be used to indicate answers to game questions that the globe “asks”. Later the same evening, she was naming the continents and the oceans. She was learning. That’s what happens when you give a child a Leap Frog toy. It shows they received it and that someone sat to help them understand how to use it. You don;t make excuses, after you get caught, as to why the child never received the gift.

44. Neill Vaughan
    May 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm

    Just to clarify, we gave our daughter a Leap Frog toy recently. It wasn’t one of the donated toys I referred to in the letter above.

45. Jeremy Molinaro
    May 25th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    The following e-mail, critical of the advocacy efforts for the victims of abuse, was sent to Steve from Jeremy Milinaro on December 28, 2006. There were about 11 victims identified at the time Jeremy wrote this letter:

    —–Original Message—–
    From: Mardi Molinaro [mailto:gm4him84@hotmail.com]
    Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 8:30 PM
    To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
    Subject: Reply to accusations against Rancho Milagro

    Dear friends of Miracle Ranch,

    I’ve read your recent letters and allegations. And sadly your recent attempts to squabble for more money, that unbeknownst to many sponsors whom i personally know never knew that the money no longer went to the orphanage.
    Instead the recent donations for the safety of the children are being pocketed by you. As far as i understand there is no legal action that can take place between the American board and the orhanage in Mexico, therefore what of this money you continue to request. You state that you have no legal responsibility in Mexico therefore there is no legal action that you can take, save hiring investigator after investigator to get the information you want, which sadly is that these kids have been abused. You acknowledge in your most recent letter (I received 12/27/06) that reports given that find the Hernandez family is nnocent and do not suggest that they be removed from the property are insufficient. This shows me you are not looking for the truth but a specific outcome, that you are not looking for justice, but the removal of Tony and Edna, that you are not looking to lift up and support your brothers and sisters in Christ but destroy them. You say you are sorry that this is a devisive issue, but i tell you only Satan divides the Church.

    You quote Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, but do you not read the rest of his letter, in which he pleads with the Church to be united as one.

    As brothers in Christ, yes we hold each other accountable, but only in order that we succeed, not to tear one another down. So now I hold you accountable, what are your true goals and ambitions as you stride around as “followers of Christ” tearing down your brothers and sisters. Christ says before he suffers for us on the cross, “…Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). Are we his? Do we love Him and eachother or do we destroy eachother. Do you ignore Tony and Edna’s faithful service to God and those children, and rip them apart with these allegations. Accountability isn’t a tool of devisiveness, for devisiveness is never of the Lord. He died so we could be in communion with Him and eachother. Why choose sides, if we seek to love these orphans in Mexico?

    Evicting Tony and Edna will not show anyone love, it will throw the orphanage in to turmoil. The only stability these kids have ever known will be ripped from them. And for us and our own calling to love these kids what part will we have in these kids lives when Rancho Milagro is no more.

    For surely no American from your Board will be able to run the orphanage, Neil and Bethany know this, it will not happen. Therefore, the orphange will be disbanded and the kids we love scattered into new homes, Christian and non-Christian. Or someone we do not know and have no part in their lives will run the orphange. Then how are we to love these kids.
    Every year for the past five years i have come back from Rancho Milagro, with a new understanding of what love is by the way the kids of the orphanage have loved me. Their smiles are in all my pictures and constatnly in my mind. Those kids aren’t my mission project so that i can check that off of my checklist for heaven. The kids that are so intimately involved with your actions are my friends, not my work for Jesus. What are they to you? I want these kids to be happy to learn about the redeeming love of Christ, despite all that they have been through. I see them happy and learning about this love at Rancho Milagro and Tony and Edna do a wonderful job at that. Please, stop your witch hunt do not put the kids through anymore. You and I both have seen the joy on their faces, why replace that with another frown, another bad memory.

    Where is God in all of this, i ask? God’s heart is always with the least of these he says. So I pray that there our hearts also lie. God does not smile on your devisive ways and slandering of his servants. He longs for us to show eachother love and be united as his body. Do not tear his body apart.

    I question all of your information, and all of your intentions because I question where God lies in them? For God does not delight in our evil ways of slandering, lying, backstabbing. He does not delight in watching the devil destroy the good He has done or watching the devil destroy the relationships of brother and sisters of Christ. Therefore, lift one another up, seek Christ not selfish ambition.

    All this said please stop these destructive emails and letters about the orphanage and the Hernandez family. May we once again stand united under the banner of Christ as Christ’s servants, showing his love to all, especially our brother and sisters of Christ. May we HONESTLY seek God’s will and His ways so that his will be done.

    In Christ,
    Jeremy Molinaro

46. Neill Vaughan
    May 25th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    I hope Jeremy doesn’t work in the field of caring for children-at-risk, since his advice on how to handle serious allegations of sexual molestations is so far off the mark.

    Perhaps Jeremy should publish a book titled, “Best Practices for Protecting Child Molesters and Attacking Victims’ Advocates”.

    Below is a list of the tips from what appears to be Jeremy’s recommendations: (Obviously, I do not agree with him)

    1) Be critical of advocates for the heros (Hero is a better word than victim)
    2) Sow fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of donors by telling them their donations are not going to the orphan children, but rather to defend the rights of former orphans who were abused.
    3) Accuse victims’ advocates of pocketing donations intended for orphans
    4) Be comfortable sharing your perspective on the criminal case against an accused chid molester, despite your ignorance of legal proceedings in Mexico.
    5) Be critical of any money spent on investigating credible complaints of chi;ld abuse by former residents of the children’s home
    6) Assume the victims’ advocates feel comfortable publishing baseless allegations, but don’t ask them to see the evidence that has been gathered.
    7) Advance the defense strategy of the accused pedophile and assume the allegations are false.
    8) Be pious, despite your ignorance of the work of the Holy Spirit to set the captives free.
    9) (This one is challenging and very difficult to pull off) Use scriptures and stories from the bible to justify defending a child abuser.
    10) Preach accountability to the victims’ advocates, but don’t hold the pedophile to the same standard
    11) Question the goals and ambitions of those who seek to alleviate suffering
    12) Pretend you are an expert in implementing accountably processes
    13) (Here’s another tricky one, so use it with care) Say that listening, loving and helping victims of child abuse is against Jesus’ command to love each other.
    14) Ensure the victims and their advocates know how devisive it can be to tell the truth about being molested.
    15) Inform the victims and their advocates that revealing their experiences of abuse are devastating to the child abuser.
    16) Take the position that the orphanage operations will be thrown into turmoil if the molesters are removed from running the operation.
    17) Remember, just because children are exploited, abused and neglected doesn’t mean it’s not a “Christian” orphanage.
    18) Preach a gospel that equates the redeeming love of Christ to orphans being victimized.
    19) Express with great certainty that God hand couldn’t possibly be involved in helping innocent victims of abuse. (To pull this off, reference the scripture that says God’s heart is always with the least of these, meaning the children. As long as you contradict yourself, they’ll be confused and it may appear that God way of expressing His love for neglected children, is to send a child molester to abuse them.)
    20) (This one is super important!) Tell the advocates for the victims that God is very disappointed with them, for caring for victims of abuse.
    21) Some people may have the audacity to encourage a victim of abuse to report the abuse to authorities. Accuse such people of lying, slandering and backstabbing the person who abused them.
    22) Argue the point that the best way to achieve biblical unity, as brothers and sisters in Christ, is to ignore the victims’ allegations of abuse and turn a blind eye to their obvious human suffering. (Now I know it’s a stretch to argue that loving gestures towards orphans aren’t God’s will, but as long as you encourage them to love the child molester, you should get their buy in. The key is to ensure that they love someone, but it doesn’t matter who.)

    Jeremy really did send that e-mail as you can see in the blog above this one. It seems incredible that someone could so blindly follow a person that they lose their ability to reason. Jeremy, you the list of victims has grown from 11 to 38, don’t you?

47. Walter
    May 25th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

    CHANNEL 10, WE NEED TO KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY!!!

    My hat is off to Channel 10 who heard about the abuse of orphaned children at Rancho Milagro and decided to investigate and then report the allegations to their listeners. Much of the financial support for the orphanage has been provided by the people of San Diego and Southern California.

    As a substantial contributor to Rancho Milagro prior to the revelation of these abuses , I feel that Channel 10’s reports raises the questions listed below to which Channel 10’s I-Team ought to try to discover answers in order to complete their report on this distressing matter. As Bill O’Riley often says “We’re going to stay on this matter till we see these people brought to justice”.

    1)After more than two years, why has no action been taken by the Mexican Judicial System or by the Mexican Child Protection Agency (DIF) to end this abuse and bring the persons to justice who are responsible for and are condoning the abuse ?

    2)Why would the Baja Children’s Board continue to fund the abusers?

    3)What motivates Edna Hernandez to support Tony Hernandez in these continuing abuses?

    There is something terribly wrong here because:

    1)One would intuitively expect DIF and the Mexican Judicial system to take immediate action to stop the abuses.

    2)One would intuitively expect that, after viewing the evidence given by the abused children at Rancho Milagro and shown to them by Channel 10 reporters, the Baja Children’s Fund’s Board would take immediate steps to assure that the funds received from their donors was being used to support the sound and nurturing care of children as their donor’s certainly believe they will be.

    It’s the collective and individual fiduciary responsibility of the Board members to do this and their failure in this regard, after viewing the evidence that has been collected, clearly exposes them to serious penalties and potential suits which Directors Insurance won’t cover.

    3)Intuitively, one would not expect that an American woman, whose husband, also an American citizen, is said to have been unfaithful to her by fathering several children outside of their marriage and who apparently continues to involve her in activities which could result in severe punishment for her, would continue to support him in his activities which appear to be “pimping”, obstruction of justice, or a lot worse.

    CHANNEL 10 I-TEAM. WE NEED SOME ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE THIS MATTER CAN BE PUT TO REST.

    At present, one can only speculate on the answers to the three questions raised above.

    Speculation on Question1:

    “Why has no criminal action been taken by the Mexican Judicial System or the Mexican Child Protection Agency (DIF) to end this abuse and bring the persons to justice who are responsible for and are condoning the abuse?”

    Of course, there is always speculation about corruption within the Mexican Judicial System. As I understand the Mexican Judicial System, it is up to the Accuser to submit their evidence to the Court and then the Defense tries to refute that evidence. After considering both sides of the matter, the Judge renders his decision and decides any punishment. The judgment can be appealed by either party.

    The evidence has been before the Court for a long time and the defendant was given the legally required time to answer the charges. The charges were brought to the Ensenada Court and the evidence was given to that Court long ago. If there is corruption delaying the consideration of this case, this would mean that money would need to be paid by the defendant to at least those who control the Court in Ensenada (e.g. the judges, the prosecutor) and possibly to potential favorable and unfavorable witnesses. There is also clear evidence of threats to potential witnesses. Is this the reason that the criminal case has not gone forward?

    CAN THE CHANNEL 10 I-TEAM FIND OUT WHY THE ENSENADA COURT IS NOT MOVING THIS CASE FORWARD?

    But why hasn’t DIF acted. Perhaps money has been passed there too. President Calderon has taken bold steps to fight the Drug Cartels in Mexico so it is clear that he is courageous and is guided by principal. The President’s wife is the head of DIF, I believe. I don’t believe this abuse could continue if she were aware of the facts of the case even if money has passed hands. How can this case be brought to her attention?

    I THINK MOST EFFECTIVELY, IT CAN BE BROUGHT TO MRS CALDERON’S ATTENTION BY USING CONNECTIONS WITH MEXICAN MEDIA OUTLETS WHICH CHANNEL 10 HAS OR WITH THE MEXICAN CONSULATE HERE. CAN THE I-TEAM HELP WITH THIS?

    Speculation on Question 2:

    “Why would the Baja Children’s Fund Board continue to fund the abusers?”

    This question can be divided into two parts.

    Part 1 Curtis and Drew Belk.

    Is the Antonio Hernandez who runs Rancho Milagro the same Antonio Hernandez who, as a young man lived with the Belks for a number of years and who got his US Citizenship while he lived with them? If he is then, perhaps, this is why the Belks are trying to protect him like a brother without regard to the evidence. We often see parents, who have criminal children, do things which seem to defy explanation.

    I note that Drew Belk and Jim Andrews, who were Board Members of the Baja Children’s Fund, are no longer shown as contacts on the Fund’s website and this may mean that, following Drew’s recent exposure to the material shown to him by Channel 10, he no longer directly supports the Fund. Or it may just mean that he doesn’t want to be exposed to liability associated with direct involvement with the fund after he saw some of the evidence that has piled up against the Directors of Rancho Milagro. That would be a reasonable and wise move I should think.

    CAN CHANNEL 10 DETERMINE IF THE TONY AT THE RANCH IS THE SAME TONY WHO LIVED WITH THE BELKS. CAN CHANNEL 10 FIND OUT WHY DREW BELK AND JIM ANDREWS ARE NO LONGER SHOWN AS A BCF CONTACTS ON BCF’S WEBSITE?

    I live part time in La Quinta close to Belk Farms and have met a number of immigrants who work at Belk Farms through work that I do with a group of people who try to secure better housing for these migrants. So I am aware of some of the good things that Drew and his wife Patti and his manager Joe Lopez have done for them. That makes his actions with regard to Rancho Milagro all the more difficult to understand.

    Curtis, who is a Baptist Pastor in Redlands, California, remains on the Board. I don’t know if he has taken the opportunity to view the victim’s videotaped testimony but he has certainly heard about it. Curtis has been a substantial contributor to certain charities whose objective it is to protect children and I have seen his substantial contributions to one such charity publicly acknowledged. Since Pastor Curtis supports other organizations that care for helpless children, his continued support for Tony can only be explained by his letting his brotherly association with Tony, which goes back so many years, override his good judgment and duty as a pastor and a protector of children. I note that other pastors who have written above in this blog and who have examined the evidence without the conflict that Pastor Curtis is faced with, have come to an entirely opposite conclusion to that which Pastor Curtis apparently has.

    Part 2 Mark Stratton

    Mark has been involved with Rancho Milagro for a long, long time. He was involved on the Miracle Ranch Foundation Board while both of the registered sex offenders had the opportunity to visit and stay at the ranch. He apparently has also stayed in the Boys’ Dorm for extended periods of time and likely bathed with the young boys which, in itself doesn’t prove anything but it does make you wonder. He now serves as President of the Baja Children’s Fund.

    The BCF states that its purpose is as follows:

    “The Baja Children’s Fund (BCF) was set up as a non-profit corporation organized for the charitable purposes of supporting Christian ministries like Rancho El Milagro that CARE FOR THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE of the orphaned & underprivileged children of Baja California.”

    This is what the Baja Children’s Fund says it stand for:

    “As Christian’s we are committed to operating in accordance with Biblical principles. The ministries that we support MUST ALSO OPERATE UNDER THESE SAME PRINCIPLES AND, IN OUR ESTIMATION, BE ABOVE REPROACH in dealing with orphaned & underprivileged children in order to qualify for our involvement.”

    Mark has viewed the videotaped testimony of the victims on more than one occasion. Earlier this year, I understand that Esmerelda, a 16 year old who has resided at Ranch Milagro for more than 6 years, has become pregnant and been sent away. So this problem can’t be fluffed off as a thing of the past which has been taken care of.

    It is hard to understand why, after seeing the considerable evidence of the sexual and physical abuse of Rancho Milagro children in the past and the alleged resale by Tony, for his own personal account, of gifts and donations intended for the children, and is aware of the recent and continuing problems in this regard which have been the hallmark of Tony and Edna’s management of the orphans at Rancho Milagro, Mark has chosen to serve as President of the Baja Children’s Fund and continues to take leadership responsibility for directing donor’s contributions to be used any way that Tony and/or Edna decide.

    It is a mystery to me why the BCF Board and specifically Mark Stratton doesn’t take further steps to assure that their donors’ funds are used in a way that is consistent with what the Board says that BCF stands for, and in the way that their donors expect.

    Speculation on Question 3: What motivates Edna Hernandez to support Tony Hernandez in these continuing abuses?

    It would seem that Edna condones or benefits from Tony’s activities. Or else, Edna feels she might be hurt by members of Tony’s family if she denounces any of them.

    CHANNEL 10 I-TEAM. YOU NEED TO CONTINUE YOUR INVESTIGATIONS UNTIL FULL AND SATISFACTORY ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS ARE OBTAINED. YOU ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE, IF YOU CHOOSE, TO USE YOUR CLOUT IN HELPING TO STOP THESE ATROCITIES ABOUT WHICH YOU HAVE REPORTED SO THAT YOU CAN ASSURE THAT SAN DIEGANS FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND DONATIONS TO THIS AND OTHER MEXICAN ORPHANAGES WILL SERVE THE PURPOSES INTENDED BY SAN DIEGAN DONORS.

48. Pastor James Jerpseth
    May 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    Walter has a wonderful point — is 10News going to follow up.

    Perhaps we cna bring the issue to light. Throughout the years Amnesty International has made it hard for corrupt and lethargic governmental agencies to hide items like this.

    We can do the same thing — perhaps someone closer to the Foundation could give us some addresses to write letters to.

    Perhaps the public pressure from people outside the system will move the DIF and the Mexican Justice system forward.

    O.F.G reply on May 30, 2008:

    Thank you. Your kind of response is what we need. We need people to “want” to be involved in our fight for justice. Again thank you…

49. Diana
    May 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

    This story is for Channel 10 news:

    My name is Diana. I call my story “The Girl With The Lowered Eyes”. It is a sad one. I first went to Rancho Milagro in 2002, at Christmas, to help with a Christmas party for the children. I was one of many from Hope Lutheran Church in Temecula. We brought wonderful gifts for the children and then were entertained by the children with a singing and dancing program. I noticed
    one particular young girl (approximately 10 years or so) in the dance group who was especially beautiful and graceful. The light was shining behind her, and she truly looked like an angel.

    After that, the same group went a number of times to the Ranch to set up a garden , prepare a Library, and do other things to enhance the children’s lives. One Christmas I noticed the same
    girl, again in the dance group, but this time she looked sad, and lowered her eyes through the whole performance. I wondered about that. I even commented to the person next to me, that she seemed changed. I recently learned that this particular child recently left Rancho Milagro because she was pregnant. WHO DID THIS TO HER1 11111111111111111

    The stories that have recently been listed on this blog tell it all. They tell stories of atrocities that happened in the past. IT IS STILL HAPPENING TODAY. Again I say, WHO DID THIS TO HER.? Isn’t anyone accountable

    Channel 10 news, you are a glimmer of hope for us. With your help light can be shed on this unspeakable situation. Dare I suggest that you somehow send this story to President Calderon’s wife, who I understand has a position of authority over DIF, a governing body of Orphanages in Mexico. Surely she has the heart of every Mother, and will do what she can to rescue these helpless children.

    I am not Mexican, but American. I have always worked as a volunteer with small children . To say that this is sickening to me is an understatement. Tony and Edna Hernandez should be removed immediately from Rancho Milagro and all the guilty parties ARRESTED .

    Channel 10 news, may God be with you. ……………..

    The child’s name is ESMERELDA and may God be with her too, and bless her, and keep her, and make His face to shine upon her. Amen

50. Jessica
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

    Tony took my bat and didn’t give it back. I saw Tony pull Eli’s sideburn. Tony’s Grandaughter was mean to the other little kids. She ate cookies and treats in front of the other kids. We donated a Spanish board game that was for the kids. Edna’s Grandaughter got to keep the game.

51. Norma Espinoza
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

    Septiembre 13, 2007

    Mi nombre es Norma Espinoza, Y tengo 29, anos de edad Yo llegue al Orfanatorio rancho el Milagros, tiempo despues que mis hermanos fueran internados. La razon es porque yo ahun era muy pequena para poder ser admitida. Pero ahun recuerdo que cuando mi mama y yo hibamos a visitar a mis hermanos, yo siempre me queria quedar. Y me hiva llorando Yo los extranaba mucho, y solo queria estar con ellos. Yo quisiera hacer algo para alludar en el caso de Rancho Milagros, Ahunque yo era la mas pequena de todos todavia recuerdo muchas cosas anormales que sucesieron en ese lugar. Es trite y duro de reconocer que tienen que pasar muchos anos, para que una persona que ha sido abusada desde su infancia,, pueda admitir y haceptar que lo que vivio en su pasado no fue normal. Yo siento que no nacimos sabiendo lo bueno, o lo malo en esta vida. Eso lo vas a prendiendo con el tiempo, y las experiencia te hace abrir los hojos, y ver que no fue correcto lo que paso en tu vida. Cuando las persona crecen con un ritmo de vida anormal pienza que es normal porque no ha visto mas, que lo que han vivid . Ahara siento que cada dia que pasa te vas dando cuenta que hay otro tipo de vida major a la que algun dia tuvimos o vivimos. Y esto nos ayuda ha cer mejores en estavida como ceres humanos . Lo que haora se es que han abido muchos mas incidentes de abuso sexual, en este lugar Rancho el Milagros de lo que algun dia abria yo imagined. Mis hermanos y yo nunca hablamos de esto pero ahora es como una bomba, a todos les ha ocurrido incidentes muy feos. Pero porque nadie dijo nada?yo me pregunto. Es una impotencia el no poder explicarlo. Ami personalmente me ocurrio un incidente Antonio Hernandez en ese entonces conocido como HERMANO TONY. Me beso en la boca, fue un beso muy largo, yo recuerdo que me dio mucho asco. Fue en una noche muy obscura recuerdo que el generador ya estaba apagado. Antonio Hernandes usualmente, o casi todas las noches pasaba a rebisar los dormitorios. Y acostumbraba a darnos el beso de las buens noches. Tanbien acostumbraba cada noche revisar si todas las ninas estuviaramos en nuestras pijamas . Pero ahora me pongo a pensar

    porque no lo hacia cuando las luzes estaban apagadas ? Porque tenia que revisarnos con las luces apagadas? Podria ver lo echo antes de apagar el motor o el generador. Eso yo no lo veo correcto. Ahora entiendo el porque de esa rutina. Fueron muchas cosas e incidentes que pasaron en ese lugar. Espero que Dios le hilumine el camino, y puedan tomar la major decicion, para que este lugar pueda seguir abierto. Y poder ayudar a ninos que lo necesiten.. El proposito es bueno. Los elementos son los inapropiados.

    Quisiera hacer mas pero por motivos de emigracion yo no puedo ir par mexico pero yo estoy dispuesta a corraborarles en lo que ustedes necesiten.

    Attentamente Norma Espinoza

52. Oscar Espinoza
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Septiembre 16 2007

    Mi nombre es Oscar Espinoza, tengo 34 anos de edad. Yo llege a Orfanatorio rancho el milagro a fines del ano 1979, o 1980, no recuerdo pues ahun era yo muy pequeno, Recuerdo que empeze en el primer grado de primaria. Junto con mi hermana mayor Isela E. y Roberto E. mi hermana Norma era ahun muy pequena, y no pudo quedarse con nosotros, pero despues de 2 anos mi hermana se vino a vivir con nosotros a Rancho el

    milagro. En el tiempo que nosotros vivimos en este lugar, vi muchas cosas anormales, yo siendo aun muy pequeno. Ahora que soy un adulto entiendo y comprendo que muchas cosas se pudieron ver evitado, o simplemente nunca devieron ver ocurrido. Estoy dispuesto a declarar, o contestar cualquier tipo de preguntas que se necesiten para exclarecer el asunto pendiente con Rancho el milagro. Ahora yo soy una persona adulta que puede levantar su voz, y alludar en lo que se pueda. Ahora comprendo porque las generaciones no cambian, y siguen el mismo ritmo de vida de mediocridad. La respuesta es porque los padres o las personas encargadas de la educacion de un nino, fallan como padres o tutores. Yo ablo por experiencia propia, y puedo asegurar que los ninos que crecimos en este lugar fuimos abusados fisicament moralmente y algunos hasta sexualmente. Yo pienzo que castigos como levantar piedras del arollo por largas horas, rastrillar todo el patio. sin ayuda. haciendo planas y planas hasta llenar

    un cuaderno completo, escribir capitulos de la Biblia, por mencionar algunos, pueden ser considerados abusos fisicos. Fuimos abusados mentalmente y moralmente porque manipulacion es abuso, como decirle a un nino.Te puedes ir a la calle!!!!!, Quien te va a cuidar? . Donde esta tu mama?. Amenazarnos con Marialuisa la trabajadora social. O ir a decir le a algun trabajador lo que nos estaba ocurriend en un momento que necesitabamos apollo de cualquier tipo, e ignorarnos completamente y acusarnos de mentirosos. Y muchas otras cosas tan feas y dolorosas de recordar. Eso para mi es abuso emocional. Ami personalmente un trabajador, Johon swing trato de violarme. Me toco mis partes privadas y en ese momento me levante corriendo de la cama, diciendo le que queria ir al bano. Gracias a Dios fui fuerte y le saque un cuchillo, y el trabajador Johon swing me quizo tranquilizar, diciendome que estaba bien que no pasaba nada. Yo se lo conte al dia siguiente a Antonio Hernandez. Y no me hize caso me jusgo de loco, y me dijo que me olvidara del caso, que no volveria a suceder. Yo para mi persona no creo que fue la forma apropiada de una persona adulta, y que ademas yo tendria que estar bajo la proteccion del senor Antonio Hernandes no entiendo como pudo reaccionar de esa manera tan inresponsable Cualquier pregunta por favor de comunicarse con migo al tel.

    Attentamente Oscar Espinoza

53. Isela Espinoza Rodriguez
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

    My name is Isela Espinoza Rodriguez. I am 35 years old. I would like to be brief in my testimony and I hope to help resolve the case pending regarding Rancho Milagro. I came to the Rancho el Milagro orphanage in 1988 together with my two brothers Oscar Espinoza and Roberto Espinoza. I was 8 years old, Oscar was 7 and Roberto was almost
    6. I can and want to verify that the majority of children at that time were aggressively abused physically, verbally, mentally and sexually on many different occasions.

    I still remember innumerable stories. That place was full of mental manipulation. We were ignorant children being raised under the yoke of unscrupulous people. All of the workers at Rancho de Milagro controlled our thoughts, actions and emotions. Their mental control over each of us was so great that we all came to believe that everything they said was true. You may ask what the motive of my giving this statement is. My interest is only one – to stop all of these unjust ices for the new generations that come, the children are our future.

    I would have liked someone to have listened to me back then when I was a little girl, but I had no one to confide in, I was alone in a huge world. I would ask myself, “Why does my mother not want us? Why don’t I have a normal family? What did I do to deserve a life like this?” I began to believe that it was my fault and that this was what I deserved. I was so insecure in loneliness that I learned to live with the pain in my soul. A thousand questions with no answers. I know that I cannot do anything to change the world that is filled with injustices, but there are honest lawyers and people that want to know the truth. I have confidence that some good can come out of this.

    I recently became aware of this case. My brother Oscar had been surfing the internet when he came across the page for Rancho el Milagro. It was written in English and he did not read it, but he did notice a number for Steve and Kathy, a missionary couple that we greatly appreciated. The problem was that we did no know if they were the same people because we could not remember their last name. So my brother suggested I call them to see if they were the same people. Since my brother’s English is not very good, he was a little uneasy about calling them. When I called, I found out that it was the correct people. I spoke with Steve for long hours and he asked if I had read the page on the internet. I did not answer him. I had actually only wanted to say hello and found out how their family was doing. Steve suggested that when I have some time to read the information that would be of interest to me.

    After reading the webpage I contacted him again. It was like going back in time and like someone was reading my thoughts. The secrets that I had kept to myself. It was then that I realized that I was not the only person abused. I had always thought that my experience was only an incident and that no one else could have experienced something like it. But being how everything is in public light, I did not know that there were so many other incidents. I began to connect lose ends and questions without answers. I became interested in this case because I thought that this would be an opportunity to help someone else. My voice is only a grain of sand of help in this case.

    This past December I returned to Rancho el Milagro for the first time. I was not yet aware of this case. As we were leaving, Edna and Antonio Hernandez asked me to help then with a case that was pending but they did not explain it to me well. They wanted me to write a letter stating that while I was living there that there was never any physical, emotional or sexual abuse. I told them that I would first have to speak with my brothers. When I arrived back in the USA, I spoke with my brothers. I discussed this with them and they told me about some incidents that they lived through and saw. My brothers helped me see the magnitude of the problem but I still did not feel I had enough to base anything against them.

    Six months later was when I spoke again with Steve to tie up the loose ends. This was when I began to recall of the history. Now I know that there are more cases and some of these people are already adults who have come together. I am willing to go through any embarrassment, though I never though I would have to go public with this nor to have to go through the humiliation of having to relive the past. I feel a great pain because these were people that I trusted.

    This is my incident. It was a very dark night at probably 11:30 PM. I was not completely asleep. I remember a bus stopped outside. I wondered who would be getting off the bus. A few minutes later I heard someone enter into the girls’ dormitory. I could clearly hear the keys jingling. I remember thinking that I though it was Eva. Maybe she did not want to go to her house because it was so late and Brother Tony would have yelled at her. On some occasions, Eva slept in our dormitory to avoid problems with her brother. Minutes later, a shadow came across my bed. I was turned facing the wall. There were times that Eva slept with us and it did not seem weird that she would sleep in my bed. I felt some cold arms that hugged around my waist and pulled me against their body little by little. “This was not normal” I became frightened and my heart began to race. The hands began to touch my legs. I wanted to yell but my mouth was covered. His arms were strong and I could not get lose. I could not see anything. It was very dark. I felt his penis on my skin and I was in terror. At that moment I heard some shouts. It was Bertha Alicia Arana Sauzeda. I would never forget Elena’s shout for help that someone was in the bed of Isela. Elena ran to my bed holding an oil lamp. I could see his body and recognized him. He dropped his keys on the floor and could not lift them and then left. My bed smelled like alcohol and I was crying hysterically. Elena picked up the keys and told me “It is better that you do not say anything. No one will believe you. They will say you are a liar.” Bertha Alicia Arana Sauzeda saved me from being raped. I accuse Jose Hernandez Favela of intent to rape me. I advise you contact Elena Garcia Para to verify my story. I am willing to go through any time of lie detector test. I have no doubt of the true of my words.

    We should value the rights of children because one day they will be our future.

54. Isela Espinoza
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    From: Isela Espinoza Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 4:16 PM
    To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
    Subject: Lic. enrique g.

    Lic. Enrique Gandara Zepeda
    Mi nombre es Isela Eapinoza Rodriguez. Tengo 35, anos de edad.
    Quisiera ser muy breve en mi testimonio, que espero le sea de ayuda a resolver el caso pendiente de Rancho Milagro. Yo llegue al Orfanatorio Rancho el Milagro en el ano 1988. Junto con mis dos hermanos, Oscar Espinoza Y Roberto Espinoza. Yo tenia 8anos de edad , Oscar tenia 7, anos de edad, y Roberto tenia casi 6, anos. Yo puedo, y quiero,
    verificar que la mayoria de ninos en ese tiempo fuimos agresivamente abusados fisicamente verbal mente, y asta sexualmente, en bastantes y diferentes ocasiones. Inumerables historias que toda via recuerdo y vienen a mi memoria. Ese lugar etaba lleno de manipulacion mental. Fuimos unos ninos ignorantes, que crecimos bajo el yugo de personas sin scrupulous. Todos los trabajadores de Rancho el Milagro eran duenos de nuestros pensamientos acciones, y hemociones. Era tanto su poder mental sobre cada uno de nosotros que llegabamos a creer que todos lo que ellos decian era la verdad. Lic se preguntara cual es el objetivo de esta repentina declaracion. Mi interes es solamente uno. Parar todas estas injusticias, es todo lo que yo pido, nuevas generaciones vienen y los ninos son nuestro futuro. YO HUBIERA deseado que alguien me escuchara cuando yo era una nina. Pero no Habia nadie en quien confiar estaba sola en un mundo tan grande. Me preguntaba, Porque a mi mi mama no nos
    quiere? Porque no tengo una familia normal? Que hice para merecer una vida haci? Yegue a creer que era mi culpa, pero ademas a quien le
    importaba yo? Yegue a pensar , Que me lo merecia. era tanta mi
    inseguridad mi soledad que aprendi a vivir con dolor en mi alma. Mil preguntas sin respuestas. No puedo hacer nada para canbiar el mundo que esta lleno de injusticias, lo se. Pero hay abogados y personas que quieren saber la verdad. Y son Honestos Y tengo la confianza que algo bueno tiene que salir de aqui.
    Yo reciente mente me di cuenta de este caso. Mi hemano Oscar
    habia andado navegando por la internet, entro a la pagina rancho el Milagro la carta estaba en ingles y no la leeyo. Pero se dio cuenta que abia un numero de Steve y Katty una pareja de misioneros que nosotros apreciabamos muncho. El problema era que no sabiamos si eran las mismas personas porque no podiamos recordar sus apellidos, entonces mi hermano me sugerio que me comunicara yo para saber si eran las personas
    correctas. Como el ingles de mi hermano no es tan bueno tenia pena llamar el. Cuando llame, si eran las personsas correctas, hable con Steve por largas horas y me pregunto si habia leeido la pagina en la enternet. “No conteste” yo la verdad solo queria saludarles y saber como estan toda la familia, me sugerio Steve, “cuando tengas tiempo leela hay information que te podria interesar” .Despues de leerla nos comunicamos otra vez. Fue como si me transportara al pasado en segundos. Como si alguien me estuviers leyendo mis pensamientos. Y secretos que yo
    guardaba solo para mi, Fue cuando empeze a realizar que no fui yo la unica persona abusada. Siempre penze que mi caso fue un insidente y que a nadie mas le podria ver pasado algo haci. Pero como todo estaba a la luz publica, yo no sabia que abia tantos otros incidentes. Empeze a atar cabos, muchos cabos, muchas preguntas sin respuesta. Me interese en el caso, porque pence hay una oportunidad para ayudar a alguien mas. Mi voz es solo un granito de arena para ayudar en este caso.
    Este pasado Diciembre fui por primera vez a Rancho el Milagro.
    Yo todavia no sabia de el caso. Al Despedirnos Edna junto con Antonio Hernandez me pidieron ayuda para un caso que tenian pendiente pero no me explicator bien. Querian que les hiciera una carta notarificada en la cual consta que no huvo ningun tipo de abuso fisico, emotional or
    sexual. Yo les conteste que lo hablaria con mis hermanos.. Al llegar a Estados Unidos hable con mis hermanos, Platique con ellos y les esplique lo que me abian pedido me hicieron saber de algunos incidentes que vivieron y vieron. Mis hermanos me hicieron ver la magnitud del
    problema, pero ahun haci yo no tenia cimientos sufficient para poder aclarar or declarar nada en contra. Seis meses despues fue que pude comunicarme con Steve, y pude atar mas cabos. Haci fue que me empeze a darme cuenta de toda la historia. Ahora que se que hay mas casos, Y que algunas de las ahora ya adultos se an unido. Esoy dispuesta ha pasar cualquier tipo de verguenza. Nunca penze en tener que hacer esto
    publico,ni menos en tener que pasar por la humillacion de volver a revivir el pasado.. Siento un gran dolor porque esta fue gente en la que yo confie.
    Este es mi Incidente. Era una noche recuerdo que estaba muy
    obscuro. Eran probablemente como las 11:30 de la noche.Yo no estaba totalmente dormida. Recuerdo que paro un autobus, Y pense quien bajaria? Minutos mas tarde senti que alguien entro al Dormitorio de las ninas, escuche clara mente las llaves. Pense creo que es Eva” Talvez no quiere llegar a su casa porque es tarde y Hermano Tony la va a reganar. En ocasiones Eva dormia en nuestro dormitorio para evitar problemas con su hermano. Minutos mas tarde esa sombra se acosto en mi cama, yo estaba voltiada hacia la pared. Habia ocaciones que Eva dormia con alguna de nosotras, no se me hizo extrano que se quedara en mi cama. Senti unos brasos frios que me abrasaba toda mi cintura, y me apretaba hacia su cuerpo poco, a poco. Ya no era normal” Me asuste y mi Corazon empezo a latir muy fuerte, sus manos, se deslisaban sobre mis piernas, quise gritar, pero me tapo la boca, sus brazos eran FUERTES Y no pude safarme, No podia yo ver nada. Estaba tan obscuro, senti sus partes en mi piel, yo estaba terrorized. En ese momento hoy unos gritos. Era Bertha Alicia Arana Sauzeda. Nunca la voy a olvidar” Grito alluda auxiliary Elena alguien esta en la cama de Isela” Elena corrio hacia mi cama, con ella traia una lampara de petrolio. Lo vi pude ver su cuerpo. Lo reconoci. Tiro sus llaves en el pizo. No pudo levantarlas. Y se fue….Mi cama tenia el holor a alcohol. Y yo estaba como histerica yorando, muy
    terrorized. Elena levanto las llaves Y me dijo “Vale mas que no digas nada” Nadie te va a creer” Van a decir que eres una nina mentiroza” Bertha Alicia Arana Sauzada me salvo de ver sido violada. Yo acuso a Jose Hernandez Favela de intento de violacion en mi persona. Y exijo que localizen a Elena Garcia Para que Veronique mis palabras. Estoy
    dispuesta a pasar cualquier tipo de examen para detectar mentiras. Y haci no haya duda de la veridical de mis palabras.
    Lic. Agamos valer los derechos de los ninos. Porque un dia ellos
    seran nuestro futuro.

55. Joshua Hernandez
    May 25th, 2008 at 8:46 pm

    Joshua is Tony’s son.

    Below is an e-mail Joshua sent out 10 months ago saying they (The Hernandez family, Josh, Tony & Edna) were able to “disporve” all the allegations and that Jorge and other victims declared they received money to make false testimony.

    Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:36:20 -0700 (PDT)
    From: rancho milagro

    “We are doing great and regarding the issues that i tld him over the phone. We have disproven evrything they have said, they actually put in a former accusation, but proved other wise, jorge and others declaired that they received money from people and the u.s. to say these accusations,etc. But we proved other wise and we are just waitng for a report that is delayed and with God ’s help (as he has been doing it all a long!) will be clearing up these false accutations.”

    Gbjf,
    joshua

    As of today, nearly 9 months from when Joshua sent out this e-mail, they haven’t “disproven” anything and there has been no evidence or testimony submitted to the DA investigator suggesting anyone received any money to give false testimony.

56. Dennis Melendez
    May 25th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    My wife was one of those children at the orphanage. She managed to muster the courage to tell about what happen to her at the orphanage, early in our marrage. She also told me about the abuse to her siblings and others by the Hernandez family. Many times I thought about physicly hurting those so called men that did these cowardly things. I am mexican american and I love my people but it makes me sick that these people can continue to operate without any regard to the past and future victums. Does anybody in the mexican government have enough valor and courage to stop this. These pour children have no defenders! or is always about the mighty dollar. As long as they get there cut. I’m ashammed,but the people who seem to have the valor are the american people. MY wife and I live a nice middle class life and she did not get paid by anyone, so those who say these people were paid off are kidding themselves.

57. Bill
    May 26th, 2008 at 12:08 am

    I agree with Dennis, that the claim that the Foundation is paying
    off kids to falsely accuse Tony is absurd… Absolutely ridiculous.

    Any coward in any country can always say “Oh they must be
    paid to say this” about someone they don’t believe (or would
    rather not believe) . But this argument has no real substance,
    especially without a shred of evidence or a reasonable motivation.

    A more believable explanation for why 38 kids have come
    forward (and I understand that in most cases they came to the
    Foundation, not the other way around) is because they are finally
    seeing this story that they have suppressed for so many years,
    come to life, and they know that the story is true and want to add
    their own version of what they experienced so that justice can be
    done. But, more importantly, they want to help the many kids
    who are still there at the orphanage.

    It takes courage to testify and come forward, and those that
    have are the true heros here… Selflessly coming forward
    and reliving the painful events of the past, so that they can
    save the generations to come.

    We owe it to ourselves to trust these victims, or at least give
    them the benefit of the doubt while the investigation takes place.
    What more evidence would they need to provide in order for their
    story to be believed?

    Tonight when you turn out your lights to go to sleep, (and every
    night until Tony and Edna have been removed from the premises
    of Miracle Ranch) think about the generator going out at the
    orphanage and the whole place getting very dark (yes, I
    remember how dark and eerily quiet the place gets once that
    generator has been turned off), and in the quiet of their beds,
    those kids closing their eyes and hoping to God, “Not tonight, please not tonight!!!”

58. Mark Stratton
    May 26th, 2008 at 1:48 am

    Tony and Edna “will be signing the MRO property over to the Foundation,” wrote Mark Stratton on May 6, 2003 at 7:31 PM

    That’s right folks. Mark Stratton wrote those exact words, over five (5) years ago. (see an excerpt from his e-mail at the bottom of this blog entry)

    Mark is none other than the same Mark Stratton who is now the President of the Baja Children’s Fund. If you saw the Channel 10 News story (Segment One) about the orphanage matter, you saw Mark sitting next to Drew Belk as Drew suggested Steve, Neill and the MRO Foundation board had “ulterior motives” and that’s why he doesn’t believe the victims testimony. The lie the Baja Children’s Fund board has helped spread, was that there was a “cout de ta” (hostile takeover) of the orphanage land. How simple it is to dispell this lie, using Mark Stratton’s exact written words several years before Neill was on the Miracle Ranch Foundation Board of Directors. Can it be that clear? Why would Mark sit idley by as Drew made an accusation Mark knew to be false? In such a serious matter, with such serious allegations, precise information about the facts is helpful to discern the truth.

    Below is the e-mail written by Mark and sent in 2003, when he was a member of the MRO Foundation board:

    From: MPS223@aol.com

    Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 7:31 PM

    To: growbil@juno.com

    Cc: Brian Muchmore; adriane@ssklandscape.com;

    Subject: Tony & Edna

    Dear Fred,

    In regards to Tony and Edna’s retirement, I am not sure I understand the need to present a proposal to the board. Tony and Edna have accepted the retirement package as presented to them in February, without change. It might be good to write up a letter that states what the retirement package includes, and its terms. I believe we are giving them the youth house, having an attorney too help drawup a will, and having an investment broker work with them. They will be signing the MRO property over to the Foundation. In order to do that, I Will need a copy of the minutes from the meeting at Steve’s and the meeting at American Family Living on Feb. 21 and 22. I want to be inline with the board’s decision.

    Edna has spoken to an attorney in Ensanada about having the MRO property put into the foundation’s name. It is possible with certain restrictions. They will be sending me a letter stating how the law is written. I have also spoken to Steve about getting an attorney to help from the U.S. side.

    Your help and guidance to these matters would be greatly appreciated.

    Your in Christ
    Mark

    Since the Summer of 2007, Tony and Edna have been spreading false rumors and deceitful gossip about how Neill and/or Steve and the Foundation board was trying to unjustly steal the orphanage land from Tony.

    Since Mark was well aware that plans to have the orphanage land title transferred out of Tony’s name have been in place for years, (since the purchase in 1985) it is deceitful, fraudulent, misleading and very mysterious for Mark to sit silently, on a TV News program, while Drew promotes a theory that Mark personally knows is not true. Tony and Edna were in full agreement without objection with the longtime plan to transfer the land title, also confirmed by Mark’s own written word.

    Mark and Drew try to influence people to believe that Neill and Steve are trying to steal the land from Tony for their own personal financial gain. Fostering this false motive provides some reasonable explanation as to why Neill & Steve would pay 30+ former orphans to make false testimony to slander Tony and Edna.

59. Neill Vaughan
    May 26th, 2008 at 1:58 am

    Following a process of accountability, examining the evidence in the record, reviewing statements made by Mark Stratton and Drew Belk will dispell the false idea that the pursuit of justice and advocay efforts are fueled by the “ulterior motives” of Steve and Neill.

    Using only two blog entries, this one and the previous one, we can reveal the decitful practices used by Tony and his key supporters. Please read the previous blog entry and then read over the following questions.

    Accountability Questions:
    1) Mark, is it true that plans have long been in place to transfer the land title out of Tony’s name into the Foundation’s name?

    2) Mark, did you author an e-mail confirming Tony and Edna agreed, without objection, to transfer the title out of Tony’s name to the Foundation? (See Mark Stratton’s e-mail in the previous blog entry)

    3) Tony and Edna, is it true that you two were in full agreement and agreed “without objection” to transfer the land title out of your name many years, before Neill was added to the board?

    4) Drew, in an e-mail you wrote, did you mislead people to believe the Foundation bought the orphanage property in 1985 with the full intention of giving it to Tony?

    5) Drew, on July 10, 2007, did you send an e-mail making the following assertion?:

    Drew Belk – excerpt from 7/10/07 e-mail.
    “Regarding the property, I have made personal contacts with John Downs and Phil Lewis, the President and Secretary of MRO during the time the property was purchased. They both told me that it was not the intent of MRO to own the property.”

    6) In direct contradiction to your contention that both John Downs and Phil Lewis told you it wasn’t the intention of the Foundation board to hold title to the land, did you receive the following written statements:
    John E. Downs – excerpt from John’s 10/26/06 e-mail:
    “Tony said that the title would have be in his name as the American Board could not own property in Mexico.”

    Philip J. Lewis – excerpt from Phil’s 10/26/06 e-mail:
    “Tony informed us that the American Board could not own land in Mexico so the land would have to be in his name. As a board we were uncomfortable with this…”

    Phil continues:
    “The American Board, in subsequent years made several attempts to determine if Mexican laws had changed or if we could have the title transferred to the American Board. Tony never seemed to be cooperative in these efforts and even with the help of Mexican attorneys we were not successful in this effort.”

    7) Drew, on or about 7/11/07, did you receive an e-mail with written documentation (see statements above) directly contradicting your assertions about the Foundation’s intentions regarding the land?

    8) Drew, on or before 7/11/07 via e-mail, you received direct, first hand testimony revealing Tony committed fraud by deliberately misleading the Foundation board with regards to the legal options for holding title to land in Mexico. (True in 1985 when the land was purchased and true since 1973, foreigners could establish a Mexican AC or Civil Association and serve as board members. Meeting minutes and first hand witness testimony records that Tony, saying he had consulted his lawyer, lied to the board in an effort to gain title to the orphanage land. Tony has had the same lawyer for many years. In 2003, the MRO Foundation paid Tony’s lawyer to advise them on how to transfer the land title. The written report provided to the Foundation references the Mexican code and advises that members of the Foundation board could form an AC and hold title to the land. The laws in Mexico hadn’t changed regarding foreigners (non-Mexican Nationals) legally permitted to serve on a board and hold title to land.)

    9) Drew, with clear and convincing evidence about the land title issues in the record, why would you deliberately manufacture a false accusation against Neill, Steve or anyone to mislead people by suggesting “ulterior motives” may explain why people would pay former orphans to give false testimony?

    10) Mark, the Foundation board assigned you the task of transferring the title out of Tony’s name as early as 2003, but you did not complete that task. Instead, you led the MRO board to believe that foreigners could not hold title to land in Mexico. Mark, you told Neill in 2007 that the Mexican laws hadn’t changed and the board could not hold title to the land. You told Neill you had spent more than a year researching if it was possible for the Foundation to hold title to the land and simply could not find a way. Neill didn’t believe you, even though you were adamant that the Foundation could not hold the title It seemed preposterous that it would cost the Foundation $20,000 US to make a change to the title and hold the title in a Bank Trust, with the risk of the corrupt Ensenada bankers taking the land from us.

    That same afternoon, a few minutes after your discussion, Neill went into town and stopped in a local restaurant. Neill picked up a Baja Times, the English speaking newspaper, and saw an ad on the front page for a real estate attorney named Peter Thompson. Neill called and spoke to Mr. Thompson, who explained, free of charge, how the Foundation could form an AC, serve as board members and hold title to the land. As an AC, the board would have the same rights as a Mexican citizen and the land would be securely held, ensuring no individual could gain control. And Mark, the Foundation would not need a bank trust like you said and Peter estimated about $3,500 to $7,500 depending on how much consultation we need with the bylaws. Coincidently, he had just completed the exact same arrangement for another Baja orphanage! Mark, since all real estate attorneys in Mexico would have provided that as an option, it is simply impossible that you didn’t know that. Mark, remember Tony’s lawyer advised the board on how they could hold title to the land in 2003? Remember you had his written report translated into English? The translation of the document from Tony’s attorney states in plain English how the Foundation can hold title, just as Mr. Thompson advised me for free.

    11) Mark, you helped Tony deceive the MRO board. In September 2006, you were present at a meeting where Tony’s attorney Juan Avila said the following:

    “The government can take the land of a non-profit organization in case of problems. Then they name administrators to possess property ownership. You have not been informed of risk. If the property is in Tony’s name then it is 100% safe.”

    Mark you knew Tony’s lawyer made a fraudulent statement, but you remained silent. Since attorney Juan Avila’s statement directly contradicted the written legal opinion the board received in 2003, advising (even recommending) how the Foundation could safely hold title to the land. Oh I know, Mark and everyone knows that different attorneys could have different legal opinions, right? Ooooh, that excuse doesn’t apply in this situation, since Juan Avila is the same attorney who authored the legal document from 2003!

    At some point, and we’re pretty close (or already there), one must consider that a reasonable person can draw a conclusion that Mark and Drew are deliberately misleading people in order to protect the people who are at the center of a criminal investigation of crimes against children. They knew or should have known, that information they were spreading was false, inaccurate and misleading. This conclusion is further bolstered by the fact that we don’t see them correcting the inaccuracies, when they receive proof. On the contrary, we experience time and time again how they distort the truth, always in Tony’s favor, but saying they are concerned for the kids.

    Mark and Drew, stop helping Tony deceive people and stop trying to confuse and mislead people. To the Channel 10 reporter, Drew said the BCF board was hoping for someone smarter then you two to sort this matter out. Well, guys, all you have to do is listen to “the least of these”, the forgotten, the powerless, the meek, the fatherless, the lonely. They have told you exactly what has gone on and what is going on and your efforts to sow deceit under the false pretense that there is strong evidence to disprove the allegations.

    You guys know, or should know, what’s gone on.

    Based on the evidence, Tony is a fraud, who has deceived thousands of people, but worst of all, he has exploited, abused, molested, neglected and attempted to destroy innocent children. We don’t need a Mexican judge to confirm that.

    From: MPS223@aol.com

    Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 7:31 PM

    To: growbil@juno.com

    Cc: Brian Muchmore; adriane@ssklandscape.com;

    Subject: Tony & Edna

    Dear Fred,

    In regards to Tony and Edna’s retirement, I am not sure I understand the need to present a proposal to the board. Tony and Edna have accepted the retirement package as presented to them in February, without change. It might be good to write up a letter that states what the retirement package includes, and its terms. I believe we are giving them the youth house, having an attorney too help drawup a will, and having an investment broker work with them. They will be signing the MRO property over to the Foundation. In order to do that, I Will need a copy of the minutes from the meeting at Steve’s and the meeting at American Family Living on Feb. 21 and 22. I want to be inline with the board’s decision.

    Edna has spoken to an attorney in Ensanada about having the MRO property put into the foundation’s name. It is possible with certain restrictions. They will be sending me a letter stating how the law is written. I have also spoken to Steve about getting an attorney to help from the U.S. side.

    Your help and guidance to these matters would be greatly appreciated.

    Your in Christ
    Mark

60. CHRIS EICHMAN
    May 26th, 2008 at 10:08 am

    THEIR IS SUCH AN INJUSTICE BEING DONE HERE THAT IT BLOWS YOUR MIND. THE MIRACLE RANCH ORPHANGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PLACE WHERE KIDS GO TO GET PROTECTION FROM THE HARMS OF THIS WORLD, BUT IN THIS CASE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE LEADERS OF THIS ORPHANAGE TONY AND EDNA ARE ALLOWING MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND THEIR RECORD OF GROSS NEGLEGENCE SHOWS THAT. AT THE LEAST, THEY SHOULD STEP DOWN AND LET SOMEONE WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY WHO WILL PUT THE KIDS FIRST IN CHARGE OF THE ORPHANAGE. I PRAY THAT THE KIDS WHO ARE UNDER THEIR CONTROL RIGHT NOW, WOULD BE PROTECTED AND KEPT SAFE AND GOD WILL GET ALL THE GLORY FROM THIS TRAGIC STORY

61. Isela E.
    May 26th, 2008 at 10:29 am

    (In spanish, see translation below)

    (Yo) Podría escribir un libro de tantas cosas vividas. Pero en este momento siento que tengo la obligación de tratar de dar unas palabras de aliento a todos mis hermanos del Rancho El Milagro. Para todas y todos aquellos que saben quién soy yo (somos nosotros/as), sabrán que nosotros tenemos una gran verdad. Un gran dolor que no es fácil de olvidar. Y cuando ya creíamos ver superado esa etapa, nos damos cuenta que apenas estamos empezando a sanar las heridas del pasado. No creo que nadie esté en desacuerdo conmigo. Pero a todas estas personas que lean estos comentarios les pido por favor, que tengan un poco de respeto para el dolor ajeno. No es fácil decir esto que me paso. (Lo que) me hicieron, (como) me abusaron, (y como) me robaron mi dignidad. Nadie que no ha vivido esto lo podría entender. Por eso yo les pido que nos unamos como alguna vez estuvimos unidos en la desgracia. Unamos fuerzas y digamos toda la verdad para que se pueda hacer justicia. Pero si en dado caso por alguna razón no se nos hicieran justicia; pensemos en lo positivo de este mal incidente. Hemos vuelto ha saber de unos a otros. (Y) ya sabemos dónde estamos. Que estamos haciendo. Porque dentro de nuestro corazón sabemos que siempre seremos hermanos, y eso a mí me llena de alegría. Los Hernández nunca quisieron que nos comunicáramos unos con otros, porque ellos no querían que esto sucediera. Que nos juntáramos y habláramos de lo ocurrido. Pero ya todo esto es historia y nos estamos encontrando. Y nos vamos a seguir apoyando. A cualquiera de ustedes (huérfanos) que les interese mi email, hablen con Steve o Neill y ellos con gusto se los darán…

62. Isela E.
    May 26th, 2008 at 10:32 am

    (Inglés, lea la traducción arriba)
    I might write a book of so many lived things. But in this moment I feel that I have an obligation to give a few words of breath to all my brothers and sisters of the Miracle Ranch. For all those that know who I am (we are), will know that we have a big truth. A big pain that is not easy to forget. And when we thought we had overcome this stage, we realize that scarcely we are starting to cure the wounds of the past. I don’t believe that anybody in disagreement with me. To all these persons who should read these comments I ask please, to have a little respect for the foreign pain. It is not easy to say what happened to me. (What) they did to me, (hoe) they abused me, (and how) they stole my dignity from me. Nobody who has not lived through this might understand it. That’s why I ask them to join as one day we were joined in the misfortune. Nobody who has not lived through this might understand it. That’s why I ask them to join as one, as we one day were joined in the misfortune. Let’s join forces and let’s tell all the truth so that it should be possible to do justice. But if in a given case, for any reason, we are not given justice; let’s think about the positive outcome of this bad incident. We have heard of each others. (And) we already learned where we are. What we are doing, because inside our heart we know that we will always be brothers and sisters, and that fills me with happiness. The Hernández never wanted us to communicate with each others, because they did not want for this to happen. That we are joining and speaking about what happened, but all this is already history and we are finding each other. And we will continue to support one another. Anyone of you (orphans) interested in my e-mail, speak Steve or Neill, and they will gladly give it to you…

63. Fireball
    May 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am

    This is an e-mail that Fireball, a strong advocate for Tony, wrote to Steve in Dec. 2006, shortly after the victims began coming forward. Fireball sent this critical e-mail in response to a letter the MRO Foundation board sent out to give people a status of what was going on in regards to the victims and the filing of the criminal case.

    From: Fireball
    Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 6:31 PM
    To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
    Subject: Miracle Ranch Orphanage

    We that “know” Miracle Ranch find your letter most disgusting at best !!! Read —Matthew : 18:5

    We will be praying for you.

    Fireball

    Fireball made several visits a year to the orphanage and was afflicted with the same disease of denial that afflicts many of Tony’s biggest fans. Since Fireball has been making trips to Baja for 20+ years, helping out here and there, he believed that qualified him to choose Tony’s side rather than support the former orphan victims.

    Fireball’s perspective illustrates the “Tony centric” culture that had developed at Miracle Ranch. Tony and Edna were exhaulted above the orphans, which reduces accountability, since anything that people like Fireball deemed critical of “King Tony” would cause them to spring into action and come to Tony’s aid. Tony had Mark Stratton, Fireball, Drew Belk, Curtis Belk, Jim & Megan Andrews, Jeff Fransen, Mardi & Jeremy Molinero, Jose Luis, Alicia La Farga, Maria from next to the orphange, Tony’s brothers and sisters, Doctor Juan who was a long time member of the Mexican board, and others would be masterfully manipulated by Tony and Edna, to attack people who were exposing Tony and Edna’s mis deeds.

    A study of the historical record shows the same unhealthy pattern repeated, over and over and over. A person who is in a position to know the facts about an abusive situation involving Tony, Edna or a Hernandez family member brings the matter to light in an effort to protect children. Tony then gets one of his minions to take the lead and attack who ever is bringing the matter to light. People like Mark Stratton begin parroting some false information they get from Tony and begin efforts to deceitfully raise questions about the credibility and motivation of the person protecting children.

    Years ago, Tony requested ~800 from the Foundation bookeeper for some expense he said he needed covered. The bookeeper sent Tony an e-mail wondering why he didn’t just use part of the extra $1,500 that had come as part of the recent check. Since that money had no reserved purpose, Tony could use that money to cover his expense. She added that she was concerned that Tony was ~6 months behind on getting his receipts turned in, to off set the monthly check provided by the Foundation. She thought it might be best to make efforts to get more current with the expenses.

    Tony responded by complaining to another Foundation board member about the disrespect and difficulty he was being caused by the bookeeper. The bookeeper was criticized and attacked so harshly that she wanted to resign her position.

    Board members told of the sacrafice of Tony to dedicate his life to caring for orphaned children, doing work that none of us would do. They talked of the incomperable daily struggles facing Tony and Edna as they selflessly invested their own personal resources to ensure these orphans had a better future. Excuse, excuse, excuse, rather than accountability. Accountability.

    The “Tony centric culture” ensured that there was a high price to pay for anyone who dared to disrespect Tony, by objecting to mal treatment of children. Minions like Mark Stratton would serve as carrier pigeons to ensure that gossip, rumors and misinformation was spread.

    Rather than pay the high price, most healthy people simply choose to leave, which enables Tony to bring in some “newbie” who is “reluctantly” told (cause edna doesn’t want to gossip) how the former person disrespected Tony or some other Hernandez.

    A few heros from the past hung in there. Jay and Joan, Ed & Debbie and others obediently remained as advocates fighting for the children.

    The most troublesome illustration of this bad practice realtes directly to the child abuse that was being perpetrated on the innocent, powerless children who were forced to live under Tony’s authority. When a child spoke out against abuse they were beaten and threatened. If they objected to the beating they were beaten some more. Tony used weapons such as keys, his ring, his coffee cup, his guitar, a switch, his feet and his words in an attempt to crush the spirit of the children.

    Once an orphan was complaining to her friend that she was tired of the smell of Jose, Tony’s brother. She was tired of smelling like him after he molested her. Eva Hernandez, Tony’s sister overheard the victim complaining abut Jose and called her over to talk. “Why are you saying these things about my brother?,” asked Eva. Reluctantly and with much prodding from Eva, the victim shared that Jose frequently molested her.

    Eva told Tony about what the victim shared. Shortly after this occurred, Maria Luisa Crespo Tejeda, a DIF approved social worker and close personal friend of Tony came and got in the face of the victim, saying, “Stop telling lies!.” She threatened the victim to ensure there would be no more sharing about what Jose was doing to her. The kids understood that Maria had the power to move them to another orphanage, much worse then MRO.

    So when the Americans, like Fireball, Ellen, Monica Macintosh, Barbara Dearing, Jim and Megan Andrews, Jeff Fransen, etc. wonder why the children never told them about abuse, is it really that hard to see the how the environment fostered a culture of abuse?

    What I find most objectionable are two practices we see repeated by Americans, like Fireball.

    1) People say they are there for the kids, that they care for the kids and that their main concern is for the kids. As Walter pointed out in his blog, the actions of these people do not match their words. Rather then supporting a process of accountability, they come to the aid of Tony, as if he was an orphan. The children’s home isn’t a ministry for Tony, Edna, Joshua or any Hernandez family member. Our feelings or speculation about Tony’s guilt or innocence is irrelevant, when it come to the accounatbility process to follow when there is an allegation of abuse. Just follow and respect the process.

    2) Tony attracts advocates who don’t seem to practice common sense, who refuse to see the truth (Diliberate ignorance) in the face of overwhelming evidence and who rush to defend the his cause. They think the ministry is for Tony, not the kids. Boy is that kind of culture ever a huge Red Flag! If the kids aren’t the focus, then blind Americans & Canadians come to visit at Christmas and don’t ask where all the former orphans are. They see what they came to see. Tony and Edna and the cute, little orphans singing about the love of Jesus. Where are the former orphans, Edna? Whay don;t they come?

    Drew, you repeatedly mention that orphans who were there at the time the abuse alledgedly took place are saying thatv abuse didn’t happen. Drew, please stop saying that, because it is not true. Name the former orphans who say the abuse didn;t happen. Drew, they don’t exist.

    Do you mean Norma, the former orphan who is now a staff member? Drew, she was raped by one of the accused molesters and ran away from the orphange. Norma tearfully shares her testimony that she was raped and told, “Go ahead and tell Tony. He already knows anyway.” Since Norma believed Tony approved of the rape, she ran away to escape. Edna shares how she and tony searched and searched and searched for Norma tirelessly and compassionately trying to locate Norma.

    Actually, Edna was covering the abuse up, yet again, by drafting a letter to Americans, Norma’s sponsors, and making up a story that Norma was getting into boy trouble and wanting to sleep with several boys. you see, Edna had to come up with reasons why the children were gone. She never shared that Norma left because she was raped. Norma has never seen the letter Edna wrote, but when she does, she, too, will have the veil of deceit lifted. Drew, do you mean Jose Luis? Victims have called him and spoken to him personally. he does not deny abuse took place. He simply says it was better than starving and being homeless. What a low standard that is.

64. Bethany
    May 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am

    PLEASE RESPOND TO THE CHANNEL 10 NEWS STORY AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THIS BLOG.

    If you have been reading this blog and have felt that there is not much that you personally can do, you CAN play an important role in exposing the truth. By helping to bring this situation out in the open, you will not only help the orphans currently living at Miracle Ranch but may also positively affect how orphanages are run in Baja, Mexico. You may also help to bring healing to the victims, former orphans who were so horrifically abused under the guardianship of Antonio (Tony) and Edna Hernandez.

    If you have read this far down in the blog, it is clear that you are interested in the news story about Miracle Ranch, aired on Channel 10, San Diego. Please express your thoughts and interest by leaving a reply to the blog. Your reply will be tangible evidence to the media of public interest in this story. If there is a substantial response to this story, then larger, national news stations may decide to pick up the story up. We have been told that this would be a helpful tool to get the truth exposed and to help move this matter forward.

    You may have lived at Miracle Ranch, visited there, gone to other orphanages in Mexico, or never heard of Miracle Ranch until now; But if this story is of interest to you, please share your thoughts in the blog.

    YOUR REPLY TO THIS BLOG CAN PLAY A ROLE IN PROTECTING INNOCENT CHILDREN.

    Please reply. The children need your voice.

65. Michelle-1
    May 26th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    God can take something ugly, like the situation at Miracle Ranch, and turn it into a beautiful story. Although the ugliness of this story still remains and a final resolution has not been brought about, our God is healing the abused orphans. Amazingly, the truth being brought to light is helping our precious friends heal. There is a long way to go but for the first time, some of the orphans are starting the first steps toward healing. Thank you Steve, Neill and Channel 10 News for bringing this dire situation to light. Darkness can not stand the light which is why it is so important for everyone to spread this story. When this horrible situation is brought out into the public eye, Miracle Ranch will no longer be able to hide in darkness and deception.

    Christmas of 2005 the first grade class our child’s school, instead of giving gifts to each other, gave presents for the orphans at Rancho El Milagro. We got pictures of the orphans and put copies of them on a Christmas tree. When I got the photos, the children looked rather sad but I did not know why and thought perhaps because they were orphans. I now understand their sad eyes. Each of the 20+ children gave up an opportunity to get something for themselves to give to others. We were told to give unwrapped presents because the orphanage wanted to make sure each child received approximately the same value of present. I was disappointed that we did not get to wrap the presents but it seemed logical at the time. Recently, I have learned that the children most likely never received the presents. The management at Rancho El Milagro has defrauded a bunch of little children who gave from their hearts to orphans. I hope they never find out that someone misused their gifts for the sake of greed.

    This whole situation is such a tangled web of deceit and destruction. The accusations of the orphans are true and the deceit comes from those currently associated with Rancho El Milagro. It runs deep and dark. One of the orphans who came forward has been threatened by an anonymous phone caller. The threat was against the orphan’s family. Those whose deeds are evil are the ones that use threats. Those who choose to believe those at Rancho El Milagro need to open their blind or perhaps not so blind eyes and come to the truth.

    Each night before I go to bed, I pray for the orphans left at the ranch. I wonder if they are safely tucked into their beds or they are experiencing the horrors of the what the Hernandez family has allowed to happen in the past. After you tuck your children safely into bed tonight, thank God that they are safe and pray for the safety of the innocent victims of Rancho El Milagro. See if you can sleep knowing that at that very moment some child who the orphan is supposed to be protecting may be in the middle of the worst nightmare of their life.

66. Dr. Lane Scott
    May 26th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

    Hello Brothers Neill and Steve,

    Thank you for your continued hard work on these issues regarding the orphan abuse in Baja and for the defense of these children who have had no one except YOU to look to. God has sent you to be that light of the world – to uplift the Truth as it is found in Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven.

    I have watched the video and it is a sad story, still there is hope, grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.

    Truly I can say – I know how you feel.

    So many people have not understood you or your motives, they have slandered you, but keep in mind that God has said: I didn’t send you out for them – rather, I sent you out for Me, to be a witness for the truth and a light in the community. Everyone is making their eternal choices and the results and rewards are in God’s hands. Giving your utmost for God’s highest has been your aim, and it shows – the world sees it.

    Christ was here before us to witness to the truth, He did what He could, but still not everyone understood, they slandered and crucified Him – did you think they would treat you any better? Christ has asked us – not to convince and make them to believe us – rather, to tell the truth and let the Holy Spirit convict each soul. The truth has been made clear, the witness and testimonies you have presented have been honorable, you have lived, been tested and tried in the fire, and you have done very well.

    The video and website have been compelling and the information, with the testimonies of the victims have been presented [May God bless them all with His healing], and now, the entire world will know that these things have happened and there must be something done about this – it must not continue as before. The fight is not over, we must keep in mind that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against satanic forces. Against corrupt practices, lies and deception, but still, this part of the test was not too hard for you – because Christ has carried the cross for you.

    Again, I urge all the victims to jointly work together – for the Kingdom of Heaven – to prevent this from happening again, and to bond with Christ and with each other to seek proactive action against those “directors” who made such choices, they have harmed these children of God and allowed such misguided and Satanic evil to harm the children, they have brought a curse upon themselves and Ex. 22:22-24 will be upon their heads.

    One of the best things that can be done is to establish a Children’s Home on right moral principles and, with full accountability and oversight in place – and to be as transparent as can be – is for the victims you have found and helped throughout this process, to help other orphan children, to rise above the slime of this dark and oppressive world. I encourage them, with one voice and faith in God, to address the state agencies, move past the negative and require state laws to be enforced that other orphan children will be protected and not harmed. These things take time, but there is no better mission on earth than to be of help to God’s children.

    There are many people who would like to help and would be supportive, but, everyone has been hurt and many do not trust – still, with the right program in place, everyone can learn to love and trust again. It would defeat Satan. It would show the world that although these victims were harmed by hate, through God’s love they could be victorious and show others a better way.

    Then, put that on 10 news!

67. John D
    May 26th, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    John D

    After reviewing the information from ch10news investigation and reading the relevant comments I can only wonder at myself and others that either let this tragic situation go on or were purposely blinded to it’s existence . I have been to Miracle Ranch 25 to 30 times from Nov 2002 to April 2006 primarily engaged in building a garden and a garden shed for our tools. I and others volunteers modified, repaired and extended the drip system to water it. During these activities the children were not encouraged to become involved in this wonderful experience (perhaps explicitly instructed not to). Fininally Neill got the director or Josh to have one young 17 year old person, Omar, to help build the tool shed. The purpose was his desire to learn about the building trades. That is the purpose for the garden. This young person was very helpful and was also involved in running in local events. In appreciation for this my wife suggested we donate a pair of running shoes so he may exploit his running talent. After three part time days he no longer came to help when he returned from school. The other children did not show a great response to me or the group I was with.

    Someone had mentioned the kids were happy and smiling! I did not witness this although they were polite, properly clothed for the weather and clean. They mostly had a very flat affect. I did notice the children responding to Neill and Bethany Vaughan. One young boy about 12 years old was removed from Miracle Ranch because he had been expelled from school. He had siblings at the ranch and was quite upset that he was being sent else where. He came to Neill and Bethany crying for comfort when the official came to get him.

    In the many trips my wife and I made to Ensenada, some times staying overnight several day at local motels in order to complete a project, we rarely saw Tony. Edna for the most part stayed in their house-although I did see her occasionally. Josh was somewhat of a non-entity. He seemed not only reluctant but obstructive when asked to help with plans for projects. It took two years to get his permission to trim the trees in the garden so we could build the tool shed and have a rest area. None of the people who were running the orphanage interacted with the children while I was there.

    The testimonies of the adult orphans cannot be dismissed as lies or exaggerations. The sheer number of adults who have come forward would render that assumption implausible. The people at the orphanage say these testimonies are not true but offer no reason to disbelieve these adult orphans other than their say so. They do not address the fact that many have taken polygraph tests and passed them. Tony and Edna have refused even to take the test, that in itself doesn’t prove guilt but is certainly doesn’t argue for innocence.

    I’m just a volunteer who went down to the ranch to try to help some orphan kids. I have no ax to grind. I believe Neill and Bethany were well on their way to making a big impact on the kids. The fact that they had to leave disrupted their own lives as well as disrupting their work with the children. They are now pursuing a path of justice for the former inmates. With God’s help all will be concluded in God’s time and to the benefit of the orphaned children.

68. Dan
    May 26th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    In American this would never have gone this far. At least we take child abuse seriuosly. All the work that good people did to help these children is being buried by the lies of these sick people.
    Come on mexico, at least stop these sicko’s from hurting more innocent children.
    We may not be a perfect country byt at least we care about children.

69. Dan
    May 26th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    STOP THE ABUSE ALREADY. THROW THESE SIKCO’S OUT OF POWER AND HELP THE CHILDREN FOR A CHANGE.

70. Trina
    May 26th, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    As a mother i cannot describe how sick this makes me feel. to hear about innocent kids being hurt like this makes me angry.
    I want to thank Channel 10 for exposing this atrocities and hope that these stories will not be forgotten.
    As for BCF, I cannot understand how anyone can be so willingly ignorant. What can these former orphans gain by making up all these stories? Do they really think that more than 35 people unconnected except for their time at MRO got together to collude against the Hernandez’s? How do they explain the polygraphs? if there were any hint of inpropriaty wouldn’t you use any and all means should be taken to get to the bottom and not sit idly by and let the abuse continue. wouldn’t you err on the side of the children and not just hope that they werent raping and abusing children. I pray that justice will be brought to the Hernandez’s.

71. Nin
    May 26th, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    It is frustrating for me to listen to these two news stories and not see any justice. What is even more outrageous is that the orphanage is still receiving money from Baja children Fund. The two board members to Baja Childrens fund, down playing and blaming others for ulterior motives, is mind blowing. If Mark Stratton and Drew Bell are Christian men I pray that they will stop blaming others and start being a voice of clarity and justice. Drew Bell’s comment “We hope that somebody with more wisdom, than we have, can sort this out.” The responsibility is theirs. So to these men I say ask God for the wisdom to get to the bottom of these allegations and be more financially responsible with the money God has entrusted them with.

72. Neill Vaughan
    May 26th, 2008 at 10:32 pm

    Well said Trina. You are absolutely correct about the right thing to do when accusations of rape, molestation, etc. come up. It’s about child safety and protecting children. Anyone looking after children should welcome the opportunity to fully flush out the charges and ensure there was a swift and complete airing of the facts.

    Instead, Tony, Edna, Monica Macintosh, Mark Stratton, Drew Belk, Jeff Fransen, Joshus, Alicia La Farga, Jose hernandez, Eva Hernandez and others are seeking to distort the truth, which is what criminals and guilty people do. Two witnesses, who are related to Jose Hernandez and one was raped by Jose, did not show up for an appointment w/ an Ensenada investigator. Plans were made to reschedule for one week later. Guess what? They didn’t show a second time, after confirming the appointment the night before. These two witnesses have ALREADY been threatened and intimidated and pressured to not particpate.

    Are they foolish enough to think that 37+ victims are going to give up and just go away? It may n ot be next week or later this year or next year, but the Hernandez family is finished with children’s care and the names of those who have supported him will be placed in a database that has been started by the bilateral Safety Cooridor Coalition, who is organized to stop sex trafficing. Marisa U. is a saint, fighting the good fight, rescusing slaves and exposing the criminals who exploit the children. We have been asleep for 40 years, but we have been woken up by the cries of former orphans and we have no plans to sleep anytime soon. This isn’t a sprint, a mile run, a 10K or even a marathon. It is a lifestyle, an organization, a coalition of former orphans, qualified church groups who have demonstrated they respect the rights of children and demand accountability from people caring for orphans. the new standard will be to ask questions like,
    Who owns the land?
    Do you have a board?
    What is your relationship to the board?
    How often do they meet?
    Do you have a social worker?
    Can we talk with a few of the kids?
    Can we see a financial statement?
    Do you have a Long Range Plan?
    Do you emphasize education? How?
    Can I have the names and contact info of former orphans?
    Etc, etc.

73. O.F.G
    May 27th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    I just remembered something out. While in the orphanage, I was told that my 2 older brothers and 1 older sister, ranging in ages 12-14 were just dropped off at Ensenada with no money or directions of what to do next. I verified this info with my oldest sister and mother. They both said it is true.

    You know they were not the only ones that has happened to. It has been said by former orphans that the same thing happened to Johnny. Is there any former orphans/interns that can clarify this for me. I am very worried. He was so brutally beaten daily and then for this to happen. I must add that Johnny was ‘retarted’. Can anyone please respond on this BLOG.

    What about Esmeralda? She is not the first girl to “just” disappear. She is just the most recent case. Are all the girls accounted for? Does anyone know where is Bertha? Has anyone checked the surrouding for possible dead bodies? It was joked before by Edna about ‘buried bones in the back’.

74. Gladys
    May 27th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

    only want to say to ANTONIO HERNANDEZ and JOSE HERNANDEZ and EDNA, as an accomplice, that the time has come for them to pay for the SEXUAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE that happened to me during this time when I was a defenseless innocent girl, as well as other children and my brothers and sisters that were there but now are adults with memories of the time they spent at Miracle Ranch.  They were unable to tell anyone their very sad and unique painful experiences.  They carry large wounds that will scar them for life.  And, on remembering the wound, it bleeds again.   ANTONIO and JOSE HERNANDEZ and MIGUEL OLIVERA if perhaps they can manage to escape of the justice of man they still wont be able to escape GOD’S justice.  The people who defend them (Antonio, Jose and Edna) and are their allies will meet the same fate as them.  For the people who think that they paid to us for telling the truth I want to say to them that they are ignorant.  By thinking this way, you will pay for covering up his filth.  Since that which goes out of your mouth is what you feel in your heart, it is better to say you don’t know unless you do.

75. Mick Parisi
    May 27th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

    I wish to applaud Gladys, O.F.G., Isela, Oscar and ALL of the others who have come forward to share their stories about the shameful injustice that was put upon them in the form of mental, physiacal and sexual abuse. THEY ARE THE TRUE HEROES OF THIS STORY!
    If Tony and his minions (good one Neill) had even an ounce of the courage that has been displayed by the people that have shared the horrors they’ve experienced, then Tony and the rest of his evil horde would do the right thing here and step down from whatever positions they hold and turn themselves in to the authorities.
    But of course we all know that none of the guilty will do so because they are all cowards and venomous snakes who hide behind lies and deceit as they slither in and out from the rocks they live under!
    As each new blog is written it becomes so abundabtly clear as to what needs to be done here. Something that Steve Schinhofen and Neill Vaughan have know from the very start of this nightmare. If the children (now grown) are the heroes, then Steve and Neill are their righteous defenders who have been giving of themselves full time to revealing the TRUTH of the atrocities that were inflicted upon so many innocent children at MRO. Crimes so atrocious, yet they should be administered to the very ones who are guilty of commiting them in the first place!

    One blogger wrote “how can these rapists and those who continue to allow all this to continue sleep at night?”
    This is a good question. I think the answer can be found in the fact that snakes like these who hide behind Christianity are not who they try to present themselves as. The truth is any one who could knowingly commit these crimes and/or are involved in the cover up can only be people of darkness….

    Luke 13:25-28 says….When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

    God will one day mete out punishment to those who are guilty of these crimes with far more severe consequences than any of us care to imagine, but until that day it is our job to do what we can in any way to see that the guilty are brought to justice…And the guilty ones know who they are!

76. Abigail
    May 27th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    What you saw in the news is true.  Yes, we were abused terribly, by ANTONIO AND JOSE HERNANDEZ and EDNA who was A WITNESS OF THE ABUSES AND AN ACCOMPLISE. I am no longer a girl.  ANTONIO HERNANDEZ OR JOSE HERNANDEZ CAN NO LONGER STRIKE ME AS WHEN I WAS A GIRL.  I AM NO LONGER THEIR PRISONER NOW.  I CAN SPEAK THE TRUTH WITHOUT BEING STRUCK OR THREATENED BY YOU.
    EDNA with YOUR HANDS ON YOUR WAIST, YOU WATCHED AS ANTONIO struck me AND YOU DID NOT DEFEND ME, until I WAS VERY INJURED AND YOU SAW ME BLEEDING WHEN YOU TOLD ANTONIO TO STOP STRIKING ME.  TO THIS DAY I CAN HEAR YOUR WORDS.  YOU WERE VERY SCARED SEEING ME LIKE THAT AND YOU SAID TO ANTONIO, “ANTONIO LEAVE HER, YOU ARE GOING TO KILL HER!”. AND ANTONIO CONTINUED TO HIT ME AND PULL MY HAIR AND KICK ME WITH HIS BOOTS.
    HE STRUCK ME UNTIL I FELL DOWN IN THE SOIL.  ANTONIO WAS STOMPING ON ME.  LATER I WAS CRAWLING, STUGGLING TO STAND BUT HECONTINUED TO STRIKE ME.  EDNA AND TONY, I KNOW THAT YOU REMEMBER THIS DAY WHEN YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME OR PUT ME IN A WHEELCHAIR UNABLE TO WALK FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.  ANTONIO after you struck me YOU LOOKED TO THE SKY AND SAID “MY GOD EXCUSE TO ME.  BECAUSE OF THIS DEMON I HAVE TO SIN”. I HAD BEEN THROWN IN THE SOIL AND WAS UNABLE TO GET UP. ANTONIO TOLD ME “GET UP SATAN. YOU HAVE MADE ME SIN. GET UP DEMON.”
    I COULD NOT GET UP FROM THE SOIL.  SINCE I COULD NOT GET UP I COULD NOT WALK THERE AS I WAS IN TOO MUCH PAIN. ANTONIO TOLD ME “YOU ARE A DEMON” AND ANTONIO SAID “EXCUSE ME GOD BUT THIS DEMON MADE ME SIN.” IN THIS STATE YOU TOLD ME TO FINISH MY CHORES WITHOUT TREATING MY WOUNDS.
    THE SCAR ON MY BACK IS A REAL.  I HAD MANY MORE BUT WITH THE YEARS THEY HAVE DISAPPEARED, BUT THE TERROR THAT YOU PUT ME THROUGH LEFT A MARK SINCE INSIDE ME.  THE WOUNDS STILL BLEED SINCE IT STILL HURTS ME WHAT I SUFFERED AT MIRACLE RANCH. THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY ABUSES THAT I SUFFERED IN MY LIFE AT MIRACLE RANCH.
    I DON’T NEED EVERYONE TO BELIEVE ME.  GOD IS GOOD.  EVERYTHING THAT ALL THE HERNANDEZ AND THE AMERICAN RAPISTS DID IN DARK, GOD WILL PUT IN THE LIGHT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE IT. FOR ME TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT BUT I FEEL IN MY HEART THE NEED TO HELP THE CHILDREN WHO NOW SUFFER AT MIRACLE RANCH.  I KNOW THAT THEY ALL PRETEND TO BE WELL.  THEY SMILE, WHEN INSIDE THEY ARE CRYING SHOUTING FOR HELP, BUT NOBODY LISTENS TO THEM SINCE THEY ARE TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT SPEAK THE TRUTH.
    I WAS IN THEIR SHOES, AND IT IS HORRIBLE TO ASK FOR HELP WHEN NOBODY WILL LISTEN TO YOU AND LEND YOU A HELPING HAND.  ALL THE GIRLS AT MIRACLE RANCH WERE MY FRIENDS AS WELL AS MY SISTERS.  WE WERE ABUSED PHYSICALLY, SEXSUALLY, AND MENTALLY.  I KNOW THAT THEY REMEMBER ME TENDERLY, AND I PROMISED THEM THAT WHEN I LEAVE MIRACLE RANCH, I WOULD HELP THEM, BUT I WAS ONLY A GIRL AND COULD NOT DO ANTHING.
    WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE CHILDREN KEPT ON BEING ABUSED, IT HURT ME VERY MUCH. I STARTED CRYING AND IT GAVE ME GREAT COURAGE.  I CANNOT SUPPORT THE CONTINUED ABUSE…  THIS HAS TO STOP NOW.
    ALTHOUGH THE HERNANDEZ FAMILY ATTACKS ME WITH LIES, I WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND THE CHILDREN TO THE END.  GOD IS WITH ME, and GOD BRINGS US JUSTICE.  DREW BELK HAS A REASON THAT EDNA IS LIKE MOTHER TERESA.  NOT FOR THE ORPHANS OR THE ABANDONED.  BUT FOR THE RAPISTS, SINCE SHE SUPPORTS AND DEFENDS THEM.  AND “EDNA THE SECOND MOTHER TERESA” IS COMPENSATED BY THE AMERICANS DONATING MONEY THAT IS INTENDED FOR THE CHILDREN ABANDONED AT MIRACLE RANCH.  BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT THE MONEY ACTUALLY IS FOR THE POCKETS OF THE HERNANDEZ (FAMILY).
    DREW BELK, THIS IS YOUR MOTHER TERESA.  EDNA ONLY CHEATS THE AMERICANS.  PERHAPS ANTONIO HERNANDEZ ALREADY HAS MORE MONEY THAN YOU. I KNOW THAT YOU BELIEVE ME BUT MAYBE YOU ARE SCARED FOR ANTONIO.  THAT’S WHY YOU DEFEND HIM.
    NEILL VAUGHN THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING US.  STEVE SCHINOFEN THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE FOR THE CHILDREN.  YOU ARE THE GOOD SAMARITANS AND FOR ALL THAT I KNOW YOU ARE DOING FOR US, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU TO BRING THE TRUTH TO LIGHT.
    TO ALL THE GIRLS (YOU) THAT WERE IN MIRACLE RANCH OR THAT ARE NOW IN MIRACLE RANCH, BE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK WHAT IS NOT EASY.  BUT GOD IS WITH US.  BE STRONG. I MISS YOU VERY MUCH.  MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE.

77. Walter
    May 27th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    CHANNEL 10 I-TEAM

    IS THERE A WAY TO

    1)HELP FIND OUT WHY THE JUDGE HAS NOT YET REVIEWED THE EVIDENCE AND TAKEN A STAND AND ISSUED HIS JUDGEMENT

    2}IN SOME WAY BRING THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF DIF’S HEAD MRS. CALDERON?

    THE MEDIA’S HELP IS NEEDED TO BRING FOCUS ON THESE MATTERS.

    O.F.G reply on May 27, 2008:

    Walter, Mrs. Caderon is defenetely aware of this and all the evidence. However, Eva Hernandez (Tony’s sister, and also mentioned in testimonies), is employed by DIF. I hope this answers you question. What we really need is national exposure. That is why I urge you and everyone else reading this blogs to please e-mail Oprah, O’Reilly Factor, Dr. Phill, the Today Show, the Good Morning America Show…. You get me.

78. Neill Vaughan
    May 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    Abigail, Gladys, Isela, O, Hector, Leo, Elsa, Ana, Jorge, Lupe, Beatrice, Eva, Juaquin, Claudia, Bertha, Cecilia, Gerrardo, Diana, Victoria, Eli, Yuli, Jacki, Jose, Esmerelda, Oscar, Oscar, Roberto, and on and on,

    You are the miracles of miracle ranch. Your spiirt and perserverence is awe inspiring. Your courage and willingness to face the intimidation, threats and work through the memories is inspiring. Your voices have been heard and He has called you together to reflect integrity, faith, courage, heart and to illustrate how the lofty wil fall but the meek will be lifted high.

    I am sorry for what was done to you and I’m sorry no one paid attention to the signs. You deserve better and you are like buried treasure, being dug up. You have so much to offer and it has been a joy to see you learning to fly. The best is yet to come. You have life in your eyes and in your laughter. (Compare that to Edna’s eyes and pasty white, puffy skin. Her outside is starting to resemble her insides. We see the gifts he has placed in you, but the one entrusted to care for you failed in his task. He tried to beat out your spirit with pain and suffering. Buckets of urine, BBs, dogs, drunk molesters, sinister laughing, taunting, starvation, intimidation, witnessing the suffering of others, watching puppies get crushed, the bodega, the wash room, glaring at you while you showered, stealing your presents, lying to you, saying no one cares, insulting your family members, scaring you, scarring you, drawing blood, puching you, stalking younat night, leaving you alone, forcing you to smile, touching you, warehousing you, neglecting you…..but look at you now. He failed. You have already have the victory but greater joy is ahead. We can learn from the lives of others who have experienced similar experiences. They told me that in the 20 years they have been fighting aginst the abuse, molestations and culture of deceit, the best thing to come out of it is the relationships they formed along the way. We shouldn’t focus on the end result that we desire, but on the richness that life brings when we share this journey together. Be free. You are free. The truth is out and a wave of truth and light cannot be doused. You are paving the way so other children will be safe. I can think of no more important work than what you are doing. As one victim told me today, they wouldn’t be calling me to threaten me and my children if they felt so confident that their criminal friends and corrupt influence will prevail. Eliminating any one of us will not stop th epowerful wave that has blown over us to pull the covers back and see the scrawny little, bald man and his deeds. What a fool he is to think he could cheat God and win. What was he storing all that treasure up for? His retirement years? Too bad he and Edna won’t be on the French Riviera. To be honest, Tony and Edna died a long time ago.

    But you heros have life and truth and you are free. It’s better to be free then to be trapped in a nervous, frail body, anxiously looking over your shoulder for the past to creep up on you. They’re Baaaack. Your day has come, the day you knew in your heart would come. Little children go up and you can’t beat them anymore. They’re smarter then you, despite your family’s attempts to steal their innocence.

    You’re old school Mexico and things have changed. Accountability. Time to pay, little man. You’re not accustomed to working in the light. Sunglasses won’t help. We have “singlasses” on and your sins have been revealed. What you tried to build over 35 years is being torn to shreds. You failed, as do all evil men. Sleep tight, Tony. Listen for the sirens. They may come by day, to make an example of you, so the evil in Baja will shiver.

    And to you, heros with courage, the best you can do is heal, get better, get healthy. Your health and the life in your eyes is the most powerful weapon. Evil hates to see you survive and thrive.

    Thanks for letting us ride with you. Juntos. Unidos.

79. GLADYS MELENDEZ
    May 27th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

    NEILL GRACIAS TU ERES NUESTRO HERUE GRACIAS POR APOLLARNOS TANTO POR LO QUE ESCRIBES PARA DARNOS FUERSA PARA DARNOS ANIMO Y QUE TODOS LOS DIAS ESTAS PENDIENTE DE LO QUE ESCRIBEN PARA DE FENDERNOS.QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA A TI Y FAMILIA GRACIAS A TODAS LAS PERSONAS QUE ESTAN APOLLANDONOS. STEVE,KATHY,BETHANY,SCOTT Y A TODOS LOS VALIENTES QUE ESTUBIERON EN EL RANCHO EL MILAGRO POR ESPONERSE Y REBELAR QUIENES SON Y DE MOSTRAR QUE NO LETEMEN ANADIE QUE SON PERSONAS MUY FUERTES CON LOS PIES BIE PUETOS EN LA TIERRA PARA NO RESVALAR .SIGAN A POLLANDO Y A ESTA PAGINA TANBIEN QUE SOMOS MUCHO Y BAMOS A SER MAS QUE BENSEDORES A NIMO QUE UNIDOS LOBAMOS A LOGRAR QUE DIOS LOS BENDIGA

    GLADYS MELENDEZ - TRANSLATION reply on May 30, 2008:

    NEILL. THANK YOU, YOU ARE OUR HERO. THANKS FOR SUPPORTING US SO MUCH. FOR WHAT YOU WRITE TO GIVE US STRENGTH (AND) TO GIVE US MOTIVATION. AND THAT EVERY DAY YOU ARE DEPENDENT ON WHAT IS BEING WRITTEN (ON THE BLOG), TO DEFEND US. GOD BLESSES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THANKS TO ALL THE PERSONS THAT ARE SUPPORTING US.
    STEVE,KATHY,BETHANY,SCOTT AND ALL BRAVE ONES THAT (AT ONE TIME) WERE IN THE MIRACLE RANCH FOR EXPOSING F AND REVEILING THOSE WHO ARE (GUILTY). AND FOR SHOWING THAT (WE) ARE NOT AFRAID OF ANYBODY. THAT (WE) ARE VERY STRONG PERSONS WITH THE FEET WELL PLACED ON THE EARTH AS TO NOT SLIP. CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND TO THIS PAGE. ALSO THAT WE ARE MANY AND WILL BE MORE THAN WINNERS. (LET’S STAY) MOTIVATED, JOINING TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT. GOD BLESSES THEM.

80. Dalton Webber
    May 27th, 2008 at 8:47 pm

    June 11, 1977
    Excerpts from Board Meeting Minutes, as recorded by Dalton Webber, the man who later will admit to molesting 5 boys as a pastor in Carlsbad, CA.

    “Jose accused of ‘wrongdoing’ by Chuy & Carolyn” orphanage staff members.

    (“wrongdoing” means child abuse, probably a molestation.)

    “A social worker reports a mother wanted to remove her 2 children because MRO is selling children to US.” (Children were being sold to Dalton Webber & John Swink)

    “The board does not feel an accusation is enough to take any action against Jose.”

    Board Members at the time, include two sex offenders.
    Dalton Webber (Sex Offender)
    John Swink (Sex Offender)
    Perry Scott
    John Downs

    “Officials from Mexicali came to visit MRO to investigate.”

    Then, within 60 days on August 10, 1977, the “Decision made to terminate Chuy.”

    See the pattern?

81. Edna Hernandez
    May 27th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

    excerpt from Edna’s letter dated February 1, 1997 to John Downs, an MRO Foundation board member.

    Background on the letter: Lucio is Tony’s brother and when he worked at the orphange he molested a 15 year old orphan, beginning in 1991 and continuing for years, eventually leading to Lucio leaving his wife to move in with the same girl. The molestation took place onsite at the orphange and it was brought to the attention of Tony and Edna on numerous occasions, but they refused to take any corrective action. After years of turning a blind eye and allowing the molestation to continue without interruption, Tony and Edna eventually are forced to admit the affair. Although they admit the affair and take responsibility for letting it go on, Edna offers many excuses and secretly tries to attack the people that brought the allegation to light. As the pattern goes, heroic persons of faith, remain in obedience to almighty God and endure the hardship of knowing that molestation is going on, but the directors take no action! Eventually, the people of the light leave, after receiving a threatening letter, handed to them by Tony.

    In a letter to John Downs on February 1, 1997, Edna writes:

    “I will never be sure of the entire reason why Antonio did not just face Lucio and tell him to leave, or why he never faced Jose before. I have always felt that Jose held something over Antonio. Antonio was in complete denial about this situation (Lucio) and especially in denial about Jose. He would never admit Jose’s faults.”

    If all three Hernandez brothers were molesting girls, what could Tony possibly say?

82. Antonio Hernandez
    May 27th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    In a letter dated february 7, 1997 Tony writes:

    “Yes, it’s true Jose has a second hand store” Tony admits he and Edna helped him to get it started several years ago when we had the case in court for so long.” ( the case???…..what court case?)

    Edna, forever offering excuses writes:

    “We thought we told David, Phil or John but we could be mistaken. We gave Jose some things from across the creek and some clothes to sell. The Belks have also sent or brought down clothes and other things for him to sell many times through the years.”

    Tony and Edna have a bad habit of admitting things only when they are forced to and then are quick to make excuses. The allegations include Tony and Edna selling the kids toys, gifts and clothes donated by sponsors for the kids.

83. Edna Hernandez
    May 27th, 2008 at 10:59 pm

    In a letter dated June 15, 2003, Edna writes:

    1) The bus driver did a “no no” and is dismissed.

    2) Rafa is warned but not fired, for his inappropriate behavior;

    Lucio is one of Edna’s sons:
    3) Edna admits Lucio’s inappropriate sexual behavior; Says he is in counseling for his problem but is still allowed to visit the ranch:

    The Bus driver is dismissed for inappropriate sexual behavior; Rafa is warned but not fired for taking a 14 and 16 year old American girls to an unsupervised isolated area at night from 8:30 to 10:30 PM.

    There sure is a lot of molesting going on and an environment that fosters abuse.

84. Mick Parisi
    May 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    More heroic testimonies of tragic abuse…more crazy tales of lies and deceit. It’s like the apes are riding the horses…It’s a mad house!

85. Abigail Boche
    May 28th, 2008 at 12:43 am

    QUE PASO CON LOS COVARDES POR QUE NO CONTESTAN A NUESTROS COMENTARIOS? ANTONIO HERNANDEZ Y SUS BESTIAS. EVA HERNANDEZ ES TRABAJADORA SOCIAL. ES SU DEVER DEFENDER A LOS NINOS ABUSADOS. PERO ELLA ES COMPLISE DE TODOS LOS ABUSOS TAMBIEN JUNTO CON EL DIF MEXICAN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY, SON UNA PORQUERIA DE CORRUPTOS TODA ESA BOLA DE GENTE MALA DEBERIAN SER BOMITADOS DE ESTE MUNDO. ME DA MUCHA TRISTESA QUE ESMERALDA ESTE EMBARASADA, YONO SE USTEDES QUE PIENSAN? PERO YO DIGO QUE LA FAMILIA HERNANDEZ SIGE CRESIENDO. COMO TANTAS NINAS EN EL RANCHO LOS HERNANDEZ LAS VIOLAN LAS EMBARAZAN Y LUEGO LAS DESAPARESEN, ESTUBE 7 ANOS EN EL RANCHO MIRE MUCHAS COSAS MALAS QUISIERA DESIRSELAS TODAS PERO NO ES FASIL, MI MAMA ME SACO DEL RANCHO EL MILAGRO EN 1990 Y ASTA ESTE DIA TENGO PESADILLAS DE LO QUE VIVI Y DE LO QUE MIS HOJOS MIRARON. PIENSO, POR QUE UNO DE NUESTROS CASTIGOS ERA CARGAR PIEDRAS DE UN LADO A OTRO EN EL ARROYO? ACASO CON LAS PIEDRAS CUBRIAMOS ALGUNOS DE SUS CRIMENES? O SOLO ERA UN CASTIGO? O TAL VEZ MIS PESADILLAS NO TERMINAN POR QUE TAL VEZ DEBAJO DE ESAS PIEDRAS ESTAN LOS NINOS DESAPARESIDOS DEL RANCHO EL MILAGRO. O PORQUE? NOS CASTIGABA ASIENDO OYOS O POSOS TODO EL DIA SIN TOMAR AGUA Y SIN PODER IR AL BANO EN PLENO SOL JOSE TOMABA AGUA DELANTE DE NOSOTROS Y SE BURLABA DE MI POR QUE APENAS PODIA CARGAR EL PICO PARA ASER OYOS ACASO LES HURGIA ENTERRAR A ALGUIEN? POR ESO ESCARBABAMOS SIN PARAR O SOLO HERA UN CASTIGO? NOSE. ELLOS SON MALOS Y CAPASES DE CALLAR A ALGUIEN QUITANDOLES LA VIDA ABLO DE ANTONIO HERNANDEZ Y JOSE HERNANDEZ. PIENSEN

86. Walter
    May 28th, 2008 at 5:09 am

    O.F.G.
    We hear story after story of abuse and cover up at Miracle Ranch over many years in the above blogs. What we need now is a way to get it stopped. The Ensenada Branch of DIF and the Ensenada Branch of the Mexican Justice system appear to be in Tony’s and Edna’s pocket and are turning a blind eye to this situation. Blogs alone won’t change the situation. We need to find a way to get the Mexican Government FEDERAL agencies (Federal Justice System and Federal DIF agency), as contrasted with the LOCAL representatives of these Departments, to do what is expected of them. WE NEED FEDERAL INTERVENTION. I hope Channel10’s I-Team can help with this. More is needed before the National Media will pick up this story. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT HOW THIS SITUATION CAN BE BROUGHT TO A LARGER AUDIENCE SO THAT THE CORRECTIVE ACTION THE VICTIMS AND THE CURRENT CHILDREN AT RANCHO EL MILAGRO ARE ENTITLED TO AND THAT WE ARE ALL DEMANDING WILL BE TAKEN BY THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES?

87. Nadine Cleberg
    May 28th, 2008 at 5:25 am

    My name is Nadine Cleberg and I have been involved with MRO for several years as a donor and supporter like Drew Belk, Steve Schinhofen, Mark Stratton and others. I have not been involved to the level of Steve and Kathy Schinhofen or Neill and Bethany Vaughn but I have visited the Orphanage like so many others. As the oldest daughter of an incest survivor (who kept silent for over 35 years) I can tell you first hand that the abuse, fear and torment is NOT over for these victims; not until they are heard and believed! Thank you Steve Schinhofen and Neill Vaughn for believing these victims, supporting them and leading the charge to right all the wrong — now these victims can and will tell their stories so they can finally find healing and peace. Aside from my own personal story of how my mother’s life and my life was negatively impacted by the “don’t tell anyone” doctrines of those “hiding sin” (like Tony and Edna) I feel compelled to touch on a very important missing link here. THE MONEY TRAIL? Where does it lead? Why would I ask that? What does money have to do with the abuse? EVERYTHING. And I will tell you why — money IS the core factor here for Antonio (Tony), Edna, etc., and their militant, brute force used in the form of various levels of abuse is the control to ensure the money flow. MRO was and is their “for-profit” cash cow. So who am I and why would I make this “money” statement? Because I am an expert within the money and banking systems. I am a former 20+ year career banker and former 10+ year fraud investigator who actively uncovers fraud and abuse by following the money trail. I am also (as my youngest son would describe me) “a hard core Christian” woman who believes in truth and accountability within the body of Christ. Here is the first truth to be considered and remembered…the TRUTH always stands on its own. In saying that I can tell you that I just don’t arbitrarily believe the Tony’s and Edna’s of this world simply for the sake of “believing” them; people lie. And they lie for many reasons. People lie out of fear, or for greed, out of embarrassment, out of hurt, out of anger, out of ingorance, to defend their position or simply out of habit. People lie. Becoming a truth-teller for all of us is a growing process and in my humble opinion can only be attained by surrendering ones heart to Jesus Christ; asking for forgiveness and moving to a higher standard of living because of a relationship with Christ. Only God can change us from the inside out. All that being said…here is the TRUTH as I know it. The MONEY TRAIL tells the real story here when you care to follow it and the abuse kept it under wraps until the fall of 2006 when this entire situation was exposed. I was first made aware of the Tony and Edna Hernandez situation in the fall of 2006 by members of The Cornerstone Church in Anaheim, CA. So before I made ANY decision and/or judgements for or against Tony, Edna and others involved with MRO including Steve Schinhofen or Neill Vaughn I asked to review ALL of the relative documents including key documents like emails, letters, historical correspondence, accounting records, property titles and so forth. As a former 20-year banker and 10-year fraud investigator I personally put the timeline together and pieced together all the parts of this puzzle with the “physical proof” and in my professional and humble opinion this is not only a sad, sick and heart-breaking abuse case but this is major fraud against the entire donor base. And I am shocked at how “Christians” can be so completely blind and so fully trusting when it comes to donating their funds. What gives? I am so frustrated at the lack of logical, methodical due diligence and the “lack” of stewardship when it comes to giving to a cause. Why don’t we as Christians and Donors want to ensure “who” and “what” we are giving to is above board? Why won’t we ask the hard questions of those receiving our funds? Is our giving simply an exercise in feeling “good” about supporting Orphans? Had just ONE Board Member or ONE Donor required more accountability for use of funds, “receipts” and/or questioned the ownership/titling of the Orphanage property early on much of this could have potentially been exposed or avoided. Okay, so we can not undo the past (it happened) but we CAN and we MUST ensure we do not continue to financially support abuse, crime and greed. This is where I think we have the biggest issues right now…Tony and Edna are still being funded by the likes of Drew Belk, Mark Stratton and others. Why? Truly only God knows at this point. I don’t get it. I would however like to suggest a simple solution here when it comes to the flow of money and ongoing support. Let us come and reason together. Reason together; that’s what the Lord would have us do period. If we as so-called Believers can not get in a room and settle these issues face to face then the world’s systems and timing are the option. Are we okay with that option? I pray not. Meanwhile, time goes by, injustice reigns and scared, abused Orphans and victims hang in the balance. UNACCEPTABLE! Drew Belks and Mark Stratton…have you spoken with any adult victim in person yet? Have you held their hands and prayed with them? Have you heard, really heard their stories? Are you seeking truth? Are you assured your donor funds are being well spent? Will you listen? What would Jesus do? Jesus would address it all in truth and in love for all the world to know He lives! What will you do? I would like us to suggest that egos and opinions get laid aside here and let’s get to the TRUTH and nothing but the TRUTH so help us God. Do the hard work of a full review and investigation from the “money” side before you go any further Gentlemen. Drew, Mark, Steve, Neill — I believe you are all Godly men who want truth and justice for these Orphans despite your opinions and differences but seriously let’s get in a room, pray and get to the complete TRUTH here. Let me know when and where; let’s settle the financial side of donor giving immediately as good stewards of God’s blessing in our lives and cure the abuse side in the same fashion once and for all. Be determined to get to the truth! When the whole truth is exposed the answers will come. God’s men in action…now that is HOPE for the world! Gentlemen? Are you listening? We are waiting and watching here…so be strong and courageous for the Lord your God goes with you where ever you go!

    In HIS Service,

    Nadine

    P.S. The Ellen’s of the world are dangerous participants in these types of situations because they don’t require true accountability and never seek the real TRUTH. They only give “opinions” and make “assumptions” (generally wrong ones) regarding what they “think” they know. Well I am certain Ellen is well-meaning she is absolutely coming from a position of ignorance and has no fact basis for her opinions. Sorry Ellen…until you do a full investigation of the “facts” yours (and others like you) is an opinion that can not count here as too many victims and Orphans lives are on the line. If you desire the TRUTH then do the hard work…seek out the answers and follow the timelines, documentation and the money…then you may give a full opinion that counts!

88. Nadine Cleberg
    May 28th, 2008 at 5:49 am

    MONEY TRAIL…Pay attention here people. Let’s see…Tony’s brother Jose had a second hand store and they “sold” items that were brought for the Orphans i.e. items for the Orphans care, use and support. What? I didn’t know as a donor I was purchasing items for Tony to sell at Jose’s second hand store. Oh…I guess this makes logical sense now because the last time I visited the Orphange I was puzzled as to “what” exactly happened to all the nice comforters and new blankets we gave and bought for the Orphans. The response when I questioned it…oh, the children simply tear them up. Really, I think they would be grateful and happy for the warmth of a blanket. It isn’t a logical answer. It is a lie. The children didn’t “tear” up their blankets…they were taken away/stolen from them and sold for profit. FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. Remember, the Bible says “the love of money (not money itself) is the ROOT of all evil.” Wise up God’s people!

    In a letter dated february 7, 1997 Tony writes:

    “Yes, it’s true Jose has a second hand store” Tony admits he and Edna helped him to get it started several years ago when we had the case in court for so long.” ( the case???…..what court case?)

    Edna, forever offering excuses writes:

    “We thought we told David, Phil or John but we could be mistaken. We gave Jose some things from across the creek and some clothes to sell. The Belks have also sent or brought down clothes and other things for him to sell many times through the years.”

    Tony and Edna have a bad habit of admitting things only when they are forced to and then are quick to make excuses. The allegations include Tony and Edna selling the kids toys, gifts and clothes donated by sponsors for the kids.

    O.F.G. reply on May 28, 2008:

    I,m not sure if blankets were donated in my time (70’s), but I sure remember wanting ‘more’ than the thin blanket I had, but grateful to have one at all. To this day, even in summer, I have to have a blanket. Because I still feel cold.

89. Edna doesn't know why? Step Up Edna!
    May 28th, 2008 at 6:00 am

    Edna…what is there to understand? See notation below. There were allegations and issues regarding both Lucio and Jose and you were in a leadership role. It was your JOB to support, protect and help the Orphans. You had a voice then and you have one now. Are you abused by Antonio? Are you forced to keep silent? Here is your chance for redemption and truth-telling. Step up, ask God to forgive you and tell the truth! Be a champion for the victims, the children and find the courage within to trust Jesus to carry you through. What are you waiting for? Call Steve, Kathy, Bethany or Neill. Take action. Know (and tell) the truth and the truth will set you free!

    In a letter to John Downs on February 1, 1997, Edna writes:

    “I will never be sure of the entire reason why Antonio did not just face Lucio and tell him to leave, or why he never faced Jose before. I have always felt that Jose held something over Antonio. Antonio was in complete denial about this situation (Lucio) and especially in denial about Jose. He would never admit Jose’s faults.”

    If all three Hernandez brothers were molesting girls, what could Tony possibly say?

90. Abigail
    May 28th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    NEILL, THANK YOU.  YOU ARE OUR HERO.  THANKS SO MUCH FOR BRINGING US TOGETHER WITH WHAT YOU WRITE TO GIVE US THE STRENGTH AND TO GIVE US FORTITUDE. EVERY DAY WE DEPEND ON WHAT YOU WRITE TO DEFEND US.  GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU TO ALL THE PERSONS THAT ARE HELPING TO UNITE US.
    STEVE, KATHY, BETHANY, SCOTT AND FOR ALL THE COURAGEOUS ONES WHO WERE AT THE ORPHANAGE FOR RESPONDING AND REVEALING WHO YOU ARE AND FOR SHOWING THAT WE ARE NOT SCARED OF ANYONE AND THAT WE ARE VERY STRONG PEOPLE WITH BOTH FEET PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE GROUND. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNITED AND ADD TO THIS PAGE TOO SO THAT WE ARE MANY AND WE ARE GOING TO BE MORE THAN “BENSEDORES”.
    COURAGEOUS AND JOINED WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

91. Walter
    May 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    Nadine makes the point that Tony has committed his actions in pursuit of money. At present his main source of funds is from donations by charitable individuals to BCF, Baja Children’s Fund. Charitable Organizationsir that are approved by the IRS allow the donor to take a charitable deduction on their Income Tax Returns. All of the organizations which are approved by the IRS and that are therefors eligible for deductions on individual inclome tax returns are listed in IRS Publication 78 and in a list called “Additions to Pub. 78″ which shows all those charitable organizations which have been approved by the IRS subsequent to the publication of Pulication 78. Nadine says “follow the money”. Baja Children’s Fund is not listed in either Publication 78 or in the list of Additions to Publication 78 and therefore are not eligible for tax deductions by any of its contributors on their 2007 Income Tax Returns (Form 1040). I wonder if BCF has advised contributors to it that their contributions in 2007 should not be treated as a charitable contribution and deducted from their 2007 returns because BCF has not been approved as a legitimate charity by the IRS. Anyone can check this out by going to the IRS website and opening Publication 78 that is available on line or by calling the IRS directly

92. GLADYS MELENDEZ
    May 28th, 2008 at 11:50 pm

    Esto es para las personas que estubieron EL RANCHO MILAGRO Los Megores profesores :Los ninos. EL Dia mas bello:Hoy. EL Obstaculo mas grande:El miedo. EL error mas grande:Abandonarse. LA raiz de todos los males:El egoismo. LA peor derrota:El desaliento.. LA primera necesida:Comunicarse EL peor defecto:El mal humor.. LO que mas hace feliz:Ser util a los demas. LA presona mas peligrosa:La mentirosa. EL sentimiento mas ruin:El rencor. LA ruta mas rapida:El camino mas corecto. EL regalo mas eficaz:La sonrisa. EL mejor remedio:El optimismo. LA mayor satisfaccion:El deber cunplido. EL misterio mas grande:La muerte. LA sensacion mas grata:La paz interior. LA fuerza mas potente:La fe.

    GLADYS MELENDEZ - TRANSLATION reply on May 30, 2008:

    This is for the persons that were in THE MIRACLE RANCH.
    The best Teachers: The children.
    HE most beautiful day: Today.
    HE biggest obstacle: The fear.
    THE biggest error: To give in.
    THE root of all the evil: The egoism.
    THE worst defeat: The despondency.
    THE first need: To communicate.
    THE worst shortcoming: The bad humor.
    What wake us happiest: To be useful to the others.
    THE most dangerous person: The fibber.
    THE most mean feeling: The rancor.
    THE fastest route: The most correct way.
    THE most effective gift: The smile.
    THE best remedy: The optimism.
    THE biggest satisfaction: The complete duty.
    THE biggest mystery: The death.
    THE most pleasant sensation: Peace within.
    THE most powerful force: The faith.

93. GLADYS MELENDEZ
    May 29th, 2008 at 2:27 am

    DREW BELK DEJAME DESCRIBIRTE A EDNA A LA QUE CONSIDERAN LA SEGUNSA MADRE TERESA DE ENSENADA Y PARA LAS PERSONAS QUE LA CON SIDERAN TANBIEN.QUE BALLAN AL RANCHO EL MILAGRO Y DEGEN SU FAMILIA HAI. EDNA Y ANTONIO HERNANDEZ ESTUBIERON DE ACUERDO CON EL BORDE.EN ENCARGARSE DE CUIDAR Y DARLE AL BERGE A LOS NINOS DESANPARADOS Y PROTEGERLOS Y GIARLOS POR UN BUEN CAMINO Y LO MAS INPOR TANTE EN SENARLES LA PALABRA DE DIOS PARA QUE ALGUN DIA FUEARAN PERSONAS DE BIEN Y SE REALISARAN COMO PERSONAS EN SUS VIDAS.SIN ENBARGO SE EN CARGARON DE TODO LO CONTRARIO.SE ESCONDIERON TRAS LA PALABRA DE DIOS PARA ASER Y DE SASER PARA SALIRSE CON LASULLAS(EDNA HERNANDEZ)FUE TESTIGA DE CUANDO LAS IGLESIAS CRISTIANAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS DONABA COMIDA,ROPA, JUGETES,MEDICINA ,ERAMIENTA Y QUE CADA UNO DE LOS NINOS TENIAN CUENTA DE BANKO QUE ABRIAN SUS PADRINOS PARA DE POSITARLES DINERO. PARA QUE TU BIERAMOS UNA BUENA EDUCACION PARA QUE FUERAMOS AL COLEGIO PERO ASTA EL DIA DE HOY NINGUNO DE LAS PERSONAS QUE ES TU BIMOS EN EL RANCHO EL MILAGRO TENEMOS UNA CARERA PROFECIONAL CUANDO SALIERON DEL ORFANATORIO NO FUYMOS NADA TODO LO CON TRARIO UNOS DE SAPARECIERON OTROS SE FUERON A LAS DROGAS PROSTITUCION UNOS AN MUERTO POR CAUSA DE LAS DROGAS ,MADRES SOLTERAS .NOS JUNTAMOS CON HOMBRES MAYORE QUE NOSOTRAS TALVES BUSCABAMOS EL AMOR Y EL CRINO Y PROTECION QUE NOS Y SO FALTAY NOS LLEBO A COMETER MUCHOS ERORES POR CAUSA DE NO TENER UNA GIA CORECTA O UNA BUENA EDUCACION DE ASERNOS DE PENDIENTES Y NO DE PENDER DE NADIE. PERO EDNA HERNANDEZ SE PREOCUPO QUE FUE DE NOSOTROS NO.Y CIERO UNA CASA EN LA VEINTE DENOBIEMBRE EN ENSENADA CON LAS DONACIONES DE LAS IGLESIAS DE ESTADOS UNIDOS CON EL PROPOCITO DE CUANDO SA LIERAMOS DEL ORFANATO TU BIERAMOS DONDE VIVIR PARA CUANDO SALIRAMOS DE EL COLEGIO O DE TRABAJAR QUE DARNOS EN ESA CASA PERO LA FAMILIA HERNANDEZ SE QUE DO CON ESA CASA. LO QUE Y SIERON FUE ROBARLES BENDER LAS COSAS QUE DONABAN Y EDNA SABIA QUE(JOSE HERNANDEZ)SE LLEBAB LAS COSA PARA VENDERLAS Y NO ISO NADA PARA PARARLO QUE ESTABA ASIENDO.POR QUE A ELLA TAN BIEN SELE LLENABAN LOS BOLCILOS.O LA CONSIDERAN COMO LA SEGUNDA MADRE TERESA POR QUE CUANDO (ANTONIO HENANDEZ Y JOSE HERNANDEZ) VIOLABAN LOS NINOS EDNA TRATABA DE CURARLOS CUANDO SANGABAN POR LAS ERIDAS .O CUANDO SALIA EN BARASADA UNA NINA LA LLEBABAN ABORTAR O LAS DESAPARESIAN O LAS DE JABAN EN EL SENTRO DE ENSENASA SIN COMIDA SIN DINERO LAS DEJABAN A SUPROPIA SUERTE Y A LOS NINOS BARONES QUE VIOLARON (DALTON WEBBER)(JAHN SWINK)CON EL CON SENTIMIENTO DE (ANTONIO HERNANDEZ) PERO NO Y SO NADA (EDNA HERNANDEZ)POR AYUDARLOS NO LE HABLO A LA POLECIA.O CUANDO (ANTONIO HERNANDEZ) GOLPEO BRUTAL MENTE A MY HERMANA QUE ASTA EL DIA DE HOY SE MIRAN SUS SICATRISES.PERO (EDNA HERNANDEZ)ISO ALGO POR ALLUDARLA NO. SE QUE DO MIRANDO CON LAS MANOS EN LA SINURA NO FUE AL AUSILIO QUE MY HERMANA NESE SITABA EN ESE TIEMPO(EDNA HERNANDEZ)PUDO A BER PARA DO A SU HESPOSO (ANTONIO HERNANDEZ)QUE DEGARA DE GOLPER A MY HERMANA Y NO LO ISO.QUE ESTABA DE ACUERDO CON LOS TRABAJOS PESADOS QUE NOS PONIAN,CON LOS CASTGOS MUY FUERTES.PARA LAS PERSONAS QUE SABEN QUIEN FUE LA MADRE TERESA Y QUE CON PAREN A EDNA CON ELLA ES UN INSULTO MUY GRANDE.LA MADRE TERESA A LLUDO A PROTEGER Y CUIDAR A LOS NINOS DESANPARADOS.EDNA HERNANDEZ A YUDO A QUE VIOLARA,GOLPIARAN,QUE NOS PERCUDICARAN MENTAL Y EMOCIONAL ANOSOTRO SIENDO NINOS DE SANPARADOS. ESTA ES LA PERSONA QUE CON SIDERA LA SEGUNA MADRE TERESA.

    GLADYS MELENDEZ - TRANSLATION reply on May 30, 2008:

    Drew Belk,

    Allow me to describe Edna to you, whom is considered to be the second Mother Teresa of Ensenada (Baja Cal. México); and for people who consider her also. Go to the Miracle Ranch and then leave your family (children) there. Edna and Antonio Hernández were in accordance with the rim. In taking care, and providing shelter to the helpless children, and protecting them, and guiding them through a good path. Most important, in teaching them the God’s word so that some day they (we) were persons of good and they would have him in their lives. Nevertheless, they took charge of everything opposite.

    They hid behind God’s word to do and to undo, so they could proceed with their wishes. She (Edna Hernández) was a witness, when the Christian churches of the United States were donating meal, clothes, toys, medicine, (and) tools. Each of the children had a bank account that their godparents (Americans) were opening to deposit money, so that we could have a good education (and) so that we could go to college. But up to today, none of the persons that were in the Miracle Ranch have a professional career. When we got out of the orphanage, we were nothing at all. Everything contradictory; some disappeared, others went away to the drugs, prostitution, and some have died because of the drugs, (and) single mothers. We got together with older men. Perhaps we were looking for the love and the fondness and protection that were absent. It led us to commit many errors, because we did not have the correct guidance or a good education to be independent and not dependent of anybody.

    Did Edna Hernández worry about us? No! They built a house on Veinte de Noviembre in Ensenada with the donations of the churches of the United States. The intention was: when we would (permanently) leave the orphanage, we would have a place to live. So that after school (college), or work we had a home to come to. But the Hernández Family kept the house. What they did was rob (the Americans), they sold the things that they were donate. Edna knew that (José Hernández) was taking the things to sell them (in his store). She did nothing to stop what he (José) was doing, because her pockets were also being filled… oh they consider her to be the second Mother Teresa because when they (Antonio Hernández and José Hernández) raped the children, Edna tried to treat them when they were bleeding from their wounds … or when a girl was pregnant, they would take her to abort or they make her ‘disappear’… or they would leave her in Downtown Ensenada without food and without money, she would be left there at her own luck (risk)…

    And to the males children who were violated (and raped) (by Dalton Webber and John Swink) with his (Antonio Hernández) permission, but she (Edna Hernández) did nothing to help them. She did not call the police when he (Antonio Hernández) brutally beat my sister, that up to this day, her scars are visible. But did she (Edna Hernández) do anything to help her? No! She just stood there with her hands on her waist just looking, she did not help my sister at that time. She (Edna Hernández) could have stopped her husband (Antonio Hernández) from striking my sister and she did nothing. She was in agreement with the heavy labor forced upon us, and with the very harsh punishments.

    For the people who know the (real) Mother Teresa and who compare Edna with her, it is a very big insult. The (real) Mother Teresa helped to protect and take care of the helpless children. Edna Hernández helped; in the rapes (of the children), in the beatings, to mentally and emotionally harm us. US; just abandoned children. This is the person considered to be the second MOTHER TERESA.

94. mi nobre es jose antonio ?
    May 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    desgrasiada mente me llamo como dos de esos deprabados mentales satiros hijos de ? puercos sucios atascados i maricones que no tienen sufisines bolas para aseptar todo lo que estan asiendo mis disculpas para las personas que no son culpables en este caso sobre mi espresion pero si bamos aser onestos bamos adesir lo que sentimos esto que estoy escribiendo nadien me lo dijo que lo escribiera ninadien me esta pagando yo lo estoy asienndo por mi propia cuenta i quiero que seleaga justisia a dos de mis amigas que estimo mucho i que pasaron por todos esos abusosexsuales mentales emosionales y fisicos y golpes i por el resto de todas las personas y ninos que pasaron por los mismos abusos y biolaciones tanbien quiero quesepan que a Steve Schinofen y a Neill Vaughn no etenido el gusto de conoserlos enpersona solo escuchado sus boses por telephono quando uno deberas tiene corason i sentimientos quando olle en las noticias o enpersona que la biolaron o la abusaron mental mente o la golpiarpn o la manosiaron o le isieron tanta maranadas sesiente tan feo duele asta el alma Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernadez y Edna estan en la gloria porque no seloisieron a ninguna de mis Hijas o demis Hijos por que sino yosilos ubiera mandado a chingar asu ? madre yo entiendo a los otros padres y esposos por que no todos tienen las bolas que tengo yo ese Jose Hernandez y Antonio y Edna lo quieren ocultar todo con la palabra de Dios pero Dios no es satiro nitodo lo que ellos son que no enbarenb a Dios entodas sus maranadas i sus porquerias todos sabemos que si enlas iglecias catolicas los padres abusan y biolan a los ninos tanbien los padres de sangre y los tios y las tias y los ermano y los primos abusan a los ninos por que Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernandez y Edna no lo arian parami que si lo isieron si son culpabbles pero tanbien yo se que tanbien estan otras personas detras de todo esto yo aseguro que personas del gobierno de Ensenada estan enbulucrados en todo esto tanbien los dos americanos de la asociasion que estan apollando a los ermanos Hernandez y Edna que estubieron en sandiego en el canal dies son culpables quien me puede asegurar que ellos no tienen nada que ber entodo esto porque estos dos americano los defienden tanto ellos saben que sidisen la berdad Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernandez y Edna los ban acusar de lo mismo o de otras cosas mas feas yo presiento que Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernandez y Edna y otras personas del gobierno de Ensenada y estos dos americanos y mas personas de los Estados unidos estan enbulucrados en el contrabando de organos umanos y en muchas muertes yo tanbien pienso que si buscaran en ese Rancho el Milagro ban a llar ninos o personas enteradas alli Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernandez y Edna son tan capas asta de bender a su propia madre i yo conosco muchas personas coruptas del gobierno de Ensenada y muchas perso coruptas de los Estados unidos yo puedo aser un libro de tantas cosas que se del gobierno de Ensenada y delde los Estados unidos y tanbien se mucha informasion del departamento de ICE o federal ICE tiene muchos coruptos en su departamento si ICE o el gobierno federal son coruptos que podemos esperarde los ermanos Hernandez y de Edna y tanbien de los dos americanos que estan a fafor de Jose Hernandez y Antonio Hernandez y Edna yo pienso que a los ermanos Hernandez los deberian de somet a un detecktor de mentiras porque eslaunica forma de que puedad desir algo porque estas personas son tan mentirosas y cobardes que asta le pueden ganar al aparato de las mentiras todos los afetadod y las bellas damas danadas deberian aser justicia no sedejen ustedes tienen mas blanquillos que los onbres no sedejen yo las apollo deberian de tratar de abrir un caso federal alomejor el gobierno de los estado unidos las pueden ayuda en algo nadapierden con tratar porque selesba a poner tan difisil mientras en ensenada aiga coruptos ellos ban a pagar mucho dinero porque los dos americanos que estan con ellos bana estar soltando dinero porque aellos les afecta que se sepa la berdad si nunca sejegara aser justisia yo estoy con ustedes para aserles justisia y apollarlas estoy dispuesto a capar aesos dos deprabados y maricones. estodo por oy manana regreso

    GLADYS MELENDEZ - TRANSLATION reply on May 30, 2008:

    mi nobre es jose antonio ?
    May 29th, 2008 at 11:55 am
    Unfortunately, I my name is as two of those depraved, mental, satyrs, son of a (?). Nasty, dirty, jammed, and (@#$%), that do not have sufficient balls to accept everything they have done. My pardon, over my expressions, for the people who are not guilty in this case. If we’re going to be honest we are going to say what we feel. This that I am writing, nobody told me to write it. Nobody is paying me. I am doing it of my own account.
    I want justice for two of my friends that are dear to me and who suffered all that sexual, mental, emotional, and physical abuse, and blows. And for the rest of all the people and children who suffered the same abuses and violations. Also, I want it be known that I have not met with Steve Schinofen and with Neill Vaughn, I have not had the pleasure of knowing them in person, I only have heard their voices on the telephone. When one really has heart and feelings, it is when it can hears in the news or in person, they were raped, or they were abused mentally, or struck her, or molested, or did so much filthinesses (to the children), it feels so ugly and hurts in your soul.
    José Hernández and Antonio Hernández and Edna are in the glory because they did not do it to any of my Daughters or my Sons. Because if not, I would have sent to (@#$%) their (@#$%). I understand other parents and husbands, because not all have the balls that I have. This José Hernández, Antonio, and Edna they want to conceal everything with God’s word. But God is neither satyr nor everything that they are. Do not smear God in all your filthinesses and his grime.
    We all know that if in the catholic churches, the parents abuse and violate the children, also the blood parents, and the uncles, and the aunts, and siblings, and the cousins abuse to the children. Why José Hernández, Antonio Hernández, and Edna would not do it? I believe they did it (are guilty). They are guilty, but also know other people are behind all this.
    I assure you that the persons of the government of Ensenada are involved in all this. Also the two Americans of the affiliation who are supporting the Hernández Brothers and Edna who were in San Diego in the channel ten (news) are guilty. Who can assure to me that they do not have anything in common in all this? Why do this two Americans defend them so much? They know that if they tell the truth, José Hernández, Antonio Hernández and Edna will accuse them of the same or of other uglier things.
    I anticipate that José Hernández, Antonio Hernández, and Edna and other persons of the government of Ensenada and these two Americans and more persons of the United States are involved in the contraband of human organs and in many deaths. I also believe that if a search is done in the Miracle Ranch (grounds), you will find children or persons buried there. José Hernández, Antonio Hernández, and Edna are so capable of selling their own mother. And I know many corrupt people of the government of Ensenada and many people in the United States. I can write a book of so many things that of the government of Ensenada and of the United States. Also a lot of information from the department of ICE or federal ICE. There are many corrupt people in his department. If ICE or the federal government is corrupt, what can we expect from the Brothers Hernández and from Edna, and also from the two Americans who are in favor of José Hernández, Antonio Hernández, and Edna?
    I think the Hernández Brothers should submit to a lie detector, because it is the only way which they could say something. These persons are such liars and cowards. They (may) even be able to beat the lie detector. All the affected and the beautiful damaged ladies should seek justice. Don’t give up. You have more balls than the men. Don’t give up. I support you. You should try to open a federal case. Maybe the United States government may be able to help. You won’t lose anything by trying, because it will only get harder. While in Ensenada (regarding the case) there are corrupted people who will be paid off, because the two Americans who are with (supporting) them will continue to provide moneys, because they will be affected if the truth comes out. Never let them go without justice. I am with you, so you can get justice. I am willing to castrate those two depraved and (@#$%). This is all for now, I will return tomorrow.

    mi nombre is jose antonio - TRANSLATION reply on May 30, 2008:

    I apologize, the TITTLE should not have read ‘GLADYS MELENDEZ-TRANSLATION’, rather is should have read ‘mi nombre is jose antonio-TRANSLATION’

95. Paul Brecht
    May 29th, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    Drew Belk and Mark Stratton: It is absolutely unbelievable that you two have as yet failed to go interview the scores of victims on record. It is LUDICROUS for anyone to continue to support Tony and Edna in the face of a mountain of evidence as can be found in this case. 37 plus victims to date and you still have your heads in the sand ?? Whats wrong with you ??
    My wife and I have been very close personal friends of Steve & Kathy Schinhofen for about 8 years as well as supporters of MRO. I take offense to Drew Belk’s suggestion that Steve must have ‘ulterior motives’ in this whole mess. I am close enough to the Schinhofens with knowledge of their personal affairs that I can emphatically state that Steve has no other motive other than the protection of the kids. If he did, I would know about it.
    Mark and Drew, its high time for you two to take a reality check and start making some right decisions to get to the bottom of this.

96. Norma
    May 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    (This is the original letter. For English see below)

    Steve;
    Gracias por todo el apoyo para “mis hermanos”. Entré a 10news y es horrible lo de (xoxoxo), la recuerdo, y a su hermano (xoxoxo). Todo esto es horrible; y ciento un profundo dolor por todo lo que pasó. Pero ahora te preguntare; ¿ ¿¿Cuando Ed
    y Debby Chiarelli salieron del Rancho Milagro, ustedes pensaron que eran mentirosos??? Tardaron en creerles y pasó más tiempo. No te estoy culpando, pero tienen que sacar a Edna y Antonio del rancho. ¿Qué fue lo que ellos te dijeron para que no creyeras en Ed y Debbi? ¿Ahora me comprendes? Edna es una manipuladora y toda su vida es una mentira. No pueden permitirles seguir
    operando el rancho y dañar a más niños y seguir robando.

    Gracias,
    Sinceramente,
    Norma

97. Norma
    May 29th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Steve
    Thanks for the all the support for “my brothers “. I went (visited the website) to 10news and it’s horrible that thing about (xoxoxo), I remember her, and her brother (xoxoxo). All this is horrible; and I feel a deep pain for everything that has happened. But now I will ask you. When Ed and Debby Chiarelli left Miracle Ranch, you thought that they were liars???? You were late in believing them, and more time when by. I am not blaming you, but Edna and Antonio must be removed from the ranch. What did they (the Hernández) tell you, so that you did not believe in Ed and Debbi? Now, do you understand me? Edna is the manipulative one and all her life is a lie. They cannot allow them to keep on operating the ranch and to damage any more children and keep on stealing.

    Thank you,
    Sincerely
    Norma

98. Neill Vaughan
    May 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Early on when these allegations first came forward we were dealing with the same Tony focused approach that has helped enable he and Edna to get away with so much deceit.

    It was hard to listen to those who were sympathetic to Tony, given the stories of severe abuse from the former kids who were anused.

    Here is an E-Mail I sent on November 11, 2006, in an effort to influence people who were leaning towards Tony:

    “Four important questions set the proper perspective about the current situation at Miracle Ranch.

    1) If your daughter was now living at Miracle Ranch, would you be doing anything differently? If they had a father to look out for their safety, they wouldn’t be living there. Any Christian male reading this, should consider yourself a father or uncle to the children there and you should be acting to protect them. Do you recommended we be patient and pace ourselves so we don’t upset Tony?

    2) Who’s safety and well being is our primary concern? Who is the focus of the ministry? Either the children or the Hernandez family, but not equally both. We need to make a decision about our priorities. Those who support the children have different goals then those who support the Hernandez family. It is important, from this point forward, to know how someone we are working with answers this question. Mark Stratton, for example, has proven time and time again to support the Hernandez family. Strategies to resolve this situation will be opposing if we are working with people, like Mark, who blindly support the Hernandez family.

    3) When is enough evidence, enough? At some point, and we have reached that point, there is enough evidence to proceed with actions to protect the children from harm, even in the face of resistance from the accused.

    The former children who were victims of abuse would like to apologize if their revelations shatter the impressions people had about Tony, Edna and the Hernandez family. Perhaps the evidence has mounted faster than they can process. Maybe people need more time to adequately deal with the shock of what abuse has occurred. Unfortunately we are out of time. We need to take immediate steps to remove the Hernandez family from serving at Miracle Ranch and protect the children who live there. We need to do whatever we can to ensure the hernandez family never serves in children’s ministry again.

    When shock or denial contribute to a person’s desire to resist or ignore the truth, foolish things begin to happen as people scramble for excuses not to believe or take action. For example, Ana Marie was recently asked during an interview if she was in love with Tony. That line of questioning may lead to asking if she wanted to have sex with him or if she enjoyed it. Since Ana Marie’s father isn’t here to object to that line of questioning, we would like to stand in for him and say, “That’s enough.” There will be no more questions like that. The unanswered questions should be directed to Tony who has been evasive, elusive and indifferent. The former children, victims of severe abuse, are not to be used as a tool for us to try and explain why these terrible acts have occurred in such large frequency and sustained over time. It’s not their role to explain why The Hernandez family has acted in secret to satisfy their perverted desires. How many times to you need to see and hear them say it happened? If you choose not to believe, then so be it. But don’t delay or interfere in the efforts of others to protect children at risk. Don’t use the children to gain an education of the habits of sexual predators. Ask around.

    If you delay taking action to remove the Hernandez family, you are placing children and former MRO children who have come forward at even greater risk. Proverbs 17:12 “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.” We need to understand Tony has already taken actions to threaten the kids who have shared their story.

    4) How do my actions or plans help protect the children of Miracle Ranch or the victims who have bravely come forward? This question should serve to test our strategy. Who are we serving? Who do we answer to? Tony’s reach of intimidation has a mysterious and spiritually powerful reach over those who try to hold him accountable. Do the right thing even if Tony doesn’t like it. Do not tailor your strategy based on whether Tony will be comfortable with it. The only actions he supports are those that take the focus off of him. From now on, you are responsible for their safety, since you are a leader in this matter.

    This e-mail was sent before Esmerelda was pregnant. Aren’t Mark Stratton, Drew & Curtis Belk, Jim & Megan Andrews, Jeff Fransen and the Rancho El Milagro board at least partly responsible for Esmerelda’s pregnancy? all we here is how they just want to “care for the kids that are there.” Drew doesn’t even know their names.

99. Neill Vaughan
    May 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    We’ve got your number Tony!

    Over the past 30 years there have been numerous occasions when Tony Hernandez has resisted accountability and he continues his resistance today. The tactics Tony and Edna use to resist accountability are well documented and are consistently repeated when they are questioned about serious matters negatively affecting the children and the minstry.

    1. Delay Addressing the Matter – Tony delays addressing the matter, claiming he has to meet with his attorney or run important errands. Something more important always seem to come up. Edna promises it is an important matter to Tony and will soon be making plans to meet and discuss it.

    2. Victim & Sympathy – If a meeting actually happens, Tony has a limited amount of time to meet, having to leave the meeting to meet with DIF or government official about an important and serious matter affecting the orphanage. His accountant and attorney are often mentioned because obviously those are important meetings. He will share some terrible problem or attack that is happening to the ministry, to him, to another orphanage, or to a family member. Someone is sick and dying or poor and needy and needs his help.

    3.Control – During the meeting, Tony and Edna, during which there is limited time, Tony and Edna will dominate the conversation and will ramble on and on. Edna often shares nostalgically about the some past experience they have had. Sometimes the historic event will be similar to the the issue that a person is bringing before them to deal with. Often the story contains how unfair Tony or Edna were treated or how unjust the allegation was.

    4. Stall – Claim they’ll look into the matter and simply let time pass without taking any action

    5. Deny, Lie & Mislead – If a party has persevered through these first phases, Tony and Edna will deny the allegation against them, a family member. They may say there is not enough evidence. They may mislead people about the way things are handled in Mexico. For example, Tony and Edna shared that you need 6 months of proof in Mexico to prove rape or molestation. Contraty to Tony and Edna’s claim, a Mexican attorney stated the obvious; you only need a single occasion to prove either rape or molestation.

    6.Confusing & Babbling “Over Communication” – Edna has become an expert at writing long letters that make very little sense. It is the written form of the “Control” tactic. A person reads a 4 page hand written letter including details that only serve to confuse the matter. A person is left knowing fewer facts and is invited to spend even more time to “verify” information Edna offers as proof some event never took place. Normally these invitations are for activities that seem silly, like going to look at the books for Jose’s second hand store, to somehow show he isn’t selling donations meant for the children at the ranch.

    7.Attack – Whoever levels an accusation against Tony or Edna or is perceived as a threat to their role in the ministry is typically the target of unsubstantiated allegations. this technique has been used frequently to take the focus off of them as the accused party is forced to defend themselves.

    8.Insert an Advocate – The Hernandez family seem to have an endless supply of advocates who take on the responsibility of leading the charge against to accuse those who question Tony & Edna. Using the 3rd party allows Tony and Edna to buy time and take the focus off of themselves as the focus moves to attacking the person who had been critical of Tony and Edna. Tony and Edna save energy, by allowing another to fight their battle for them. Typically the 3rd party has no real experience dealing with Tony and Edna and has spent very little direct time working with them. But, for some reason, they feel they know Tony and Edna so well and are willing to serve as an offensive weapon on their behalf. The charges that Tony and Edna level are not checked for accuracy, but rather believed to be fact.

    9.Weak Apology with a boatload of Excuses – When cornered, Tony and Edna may finally offer a weak apology combined with a number of excuses. Tony and Edna have a pattern of saying “we never intended to do it” and “for that we ask forgiveness”. The letter will go then ramble on with various excuses.

    10.The Last Word – In a separate “confidential letter” or private conversation, Edna and Tony will ensure they add some additional facts that they “really didn’t want to bring up in the meeting” to help you know of other wrongdoings by their accuser. of course they “just didn’t feel’ right bringing it up in the meeting, but they thought you should know. Edna wrote such a letter to John Downs to ensure John knew that Ed yelled at Tony and gave excuses for why Tony didn’t want to meet with Ed. Tony was telling Steve that Neill shouldn’t return to the orphanage because Tony had heard even more, damaging information about Neill.

100. Aaron and Kara Acker
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

     E-Mail from an interested party to Steve from way back in November of 2006. Let’s see what Edna was doing to try and cover things up.

     From: Aaron Acker
     Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 2:19 PM
     To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
     Subject: MRO situation

     Steve Schinhofen,
     My husband and I just received your disturbing letter a few days ago. We hope this matter is resolved quickly and appropriate action is taken. First of all, we need to update you on our new address:
     Aaron and Kara Acker
     4201 W. Memorial Rd. #4203 Oklahoma City, OK 73134.
     Secondly, we had been consistently sending our donations to a PO Box address in Chula Vista, CA. We are definetly concerned about this problem at MRO, and if you can provide any other information, that would be appreciated..we understand if you cannot though.
     Also, a few weeks ago we received a hand written note from Edna stating that they “were in the process of restructuring the board of directors in the US….the new name is Friends of Rancho El Milagro, Inc. and the office address will be in Washington….you can send donations through Mexican Christian Children’s Aid designated for Rancho El Milagro.” Its kinda confusing to say the least! The reason that I am writing this to you is because now we are confused on what exactly is going on. Because your letter stated that all funds should be sent to Anaheim, CA and that the address has NOT changed. So, we would appreciate any info on what’s going on with this donation/address confusion. We are kinda wondering if all these situations/problems are related. Please write back whenever you get a chance so that we can better understand the current situation at MRO.
     Thanks so much for your time and work at MRO!
     -Aaron and Kara Acker

101. Monica McIntosh
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

     From Nov 2006, this e-mail is from Monica McIntosh, who is a young female version of Mark Stratton, refusing to believe the obvious. Monica served as an intern when we lived at the orphange and we really thought highly of her. Then, when it was time to stand for truth, she failed to protect the children, didn’t ask to see what evidence there was, and most disappointing of all, she didn’t have the sense to meet with those who were making the allegations. For an intelligent young girl, she sure is ignorant. Sorry for the harsh critique, but to aid a pedophile, a child abuser, a thief, a liar, a deceiver and to simply assume that a group of caring adults are out to get poor Tony & Edna. Having such a blind spot for doing the right thing, renders people like Monica unqualifed for children’s care.

     If victims come forward, Monica, you listen to them and respect them. Take the time to investigate. Instead, Monica wanted a refund if her donations were being used to provide representation for former orphans.

     Monica has been an active participant in helping Tony and Edna, including her participation in the walk-a-thon fundraiser held in Smmer 2007 in Ensenada.

     From: McIntosh, Monica
     Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 4:52 PM
     To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
     Subject: Miracle Ranch Orphanage

     Steve or whom it may concern,

     I am writing you in regards to the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation and the recent letter I received from you. I am requesting my money back, if any of it has been used toward resolving the spoken-of situation. This is not what I am sending it for. I am Rosa’s sponsor and believe the last time I sent money for her was in July, so if you could please send my money back (address below), I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your cooperation.

     Monica McIntosh

102. Scott Hetherington
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:39 pm

     April 3, 2007 – Another example of “the church” failing to do the right thing. It’s such a dangerous attitude, to disrespect the testimony of so many victims and keep supporting the orphange.

     From: Scott Hetherington
     Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 8:57 AM
     To: Steve Schinhofen Sr.
     Subject: RE:

     Steve,
     A very intriguing and sad commentary on what happened to David Cathcart, however I cannot find the connection that you are drawing to Rancho Milagro. I understand that there was an issue in the past with John Swink and Rev. Dalton that was dealt with.

     There are varying stories as to what is true and not true egarding the situation at Rancho Milagro. After lengthy conversations with Drew Belks, Mark Stratton, Jeff Fransen and yourself – the stories can become very convoluted. At this time we are moving forward with our mission trip there and I will be very conscientious of what is happening around the orphanage. I plan on having a direct conversation with Tony, Edna and Joshua while there.
     I will keep you posted what our future involvement will be with Rancho Milagro.

     Thank you for your time and honesty, .

     Scott Hetherington
     Jr. High Pastor
     Antioch Bible Church

     End of e-mail—————————

     By the way, Scott never confronted Tony. He spoke with Josh, Tony’s son, who lied about Tony’s role with the two American child molesters. scott feels confused after talking with Mark Stratton, Drew Belk and Jeff Fransen.

     Well, Scott. Are you still confused? have you spoken with Josh, who lied to you? To Mark, Drew or Jeff? Aren’t you a little suspicious as to why they would so proactively deceive you?

103. Scott Stuteville
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

     I fist went down to MRO in 1984. I always had the highest regard for Tony and Edna. Over the years before and after I joined the MRO board I never suspected any misconduct by Tony and Edna. When these allegations first came to light I personally interviewed and talked to at least 25 of the victims. They were all honest and I believed them. Tony was always in the back ground and Edna was the spokesperson. I think what has really come to light now is Edna has always know of Tony’s sexual misconduct and Jose’s sexual misconduct. At any time Edna could have stopped the abuse but she chose to support her husband as she is today. I often think about the kind of person that would prey on innocent defenceless children. And to realize today 40 defenceless children are under Tony and Edna’s care and Jose works at a grade school and is around children every day. Thank you channel 10 for the great story! Please see our web site for the testimonies miracle-ranch.org. God Bless Scooter

     O.F.G reply on May 31, 2008:

     Yes, Scott Stuteville, you are right! As I mentioned before. When I was there, I really don’t remember Edna walking the grounds much. But when the Americans would come, she was then “very active and available”.

     Even at nights. Why would Jose or Antonio need to check on us on our dormitory? Shouldn’t that had been Edna? Under the circumstances, this is an orphanage and not regular home. No men should ever enter the dorms at night.

     When we were seriously (in Edna’s opinion) hurt , or brutaly raped and violated, Edna was very much available to clean us up. But most of the time we had to fend for ourselves.

     As I seat here and read this blogs, it becomes very difficult for me. All this time I saw Edna as my protector. When I went there with Calvary Chapel last year, I even hugged Edna and cried.

     Now I realize how blind I was. If I as witness and victim I was blinded, I can defenetly understand why others who were not living there did not see too. She was never around because she did not want to be resposible. She did not want us to remember her as an evil witch. And of course, she has always wanted to protect her husband.

     She is a protector, but not ‘our’ protector. She is only concerned with her husband and of having a good image infront of the public, sorry, not the public, the donors.

     Now she is still there. Is she walking the grounds and checking at the girls at night? Or despite all this exposure, is she still turning her head. Pretending not to know.

     Now for the first time, ’someone’, meaning an outsider, finally knows of a girls who gets pregnant while in ‘her’care. Now, will she protect her image or will she do right by the remaining children and by “us”?

104. Neill Vaughan
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

     Desperate to stop the Baja Children’s Fund from funding Tony, we approached Congressman Darrell Issa

     Kristen Cristiano
     Staff Member
     US Congressman Darrell Issa, 49th District
     1800 Thibodo Road, Ste. 310
     Vista, CA 92081
     (760) 599-5000
     US Congressman Darrell Issa website

     Dear Kristen,

     RE: Alleged pedophile gets tax deductible contributions

     Thank you for taking my call today and for requesting a write up on our efforts to protect orphans from abuse and exploitation. Based on our recent experience, we are seeking to prohibit a US based non-profit, the Baja Children’s Fund, from soliciting and receiving tax deductible contributions to support an organization run by a person in the midst of an ongoing and public criminal investigation. Sadly, the allegations against the leader of the orphanage involve serious and serial sexual and physical abuse against children who were formerly orphans at the same orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico.

     Problem:

     1) The Baja Children’s Fund (BCF) is soliciting and receiving tax qualified contributions to support an accused pedophile who runs an orphanage in Ensenada.
     2) The Baja Children’s Fund (BCF) has filed for, but has not yet received, an IRS certification as a qualified not for profit organization. The BCF is soliciting funds – please see the attached fundraising letter – but not informing donors and potential donors that they (the BCF) do not have IRS certification.
     3) The United States Government must not allow tax qualified status to organizations who provide financial support to alleged pedophiles, who are actively in a position to continue child abuse.

     Proposed Solution:
     1) Work with US government representatives, authorities and the IRS to ensure the pending application for IRS certification by the Baja Children’s Fund is denied.

     2) Prohibit the Baja Children’s Fund from soliciting donations without informing potential donors that they do not have IRS certification.

     3) Hold the board members of the Baja Children’s fund accountable for their negligent actions.

     Request: Representatives of the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation board are seeking an audience with staff of US Congressman Darrell Issa to seek assistance with:
     1) The specific situation with the Baja Children’s Fund and ways to curtail their support of an accused pedophile.
     2) To discuss plans to develop an Accountability Council to establish “Best Business Practices”, standards and guidelines to organizations who provide financial and other support to orphanages in Ensenada, B.C. Mexico.

     Background: In September of 2006, 6 adults informed members of the Miracle Ranch Orphanage board they were molested while children growing up at Rancho El Milagro, an Ensenada Orphanage. The board completed a due diligence investigation, including lie detector test given to 4 of the alleged victims, which they all passed. The board collected other evidence to support the allegations, including a 15 page report submitted by a former orphanage employee, detailing allegations of physical abuse and an attempted rape on a child by a family member of the orphanage director. The orphanage director and his family refused to participate in the due diligence investigation by the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation board and he, the director, severed all tie to the board that had been supporting the orphanage for 35+ years. A group of American men, including a former Miracle Ranch Orphanage board member, have formed a new organization called the Baja Children’s Fund and have sent out fundraising letters to the 800+ member mailing list of orphanage supporters. The former board member took the mailing list and is using it without permission to promote financial support to the newly Formed Baja Children’s Fund, whose primary purpose is to provide IRS qualified tax deductible financial support to the accused pedophile.

     Since the initial investigation by the foundation board, 9 other alleged victims have come forward to share similar stories of abuse. Some of the allegations include names of 2 US Citizens who are known child sex offenders. One of the alleged offenders, who can be found on the Megan’s law web site, resides in Lake Elsinore, CA.

105. Chadwick School
     May 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pm

     Another troubling pattern we saw was how American groups continued to support Tony, when their own organization’s child protection policies would require the immediate removal of an accused child molester if allegations had come up about one of their teachers.

     This may be a case of how the needs of the American visitors outweigh the needs of those they claim to serve.

     the following group continued to make trips down, even after the allegations came up.

     http://www.chadwickschool.org/.....page=29053

     Chadwick School
     26800 S. Academy Drive
     Palos Verdes Peninsula CA 90274
     Tel: (310) 377-1543
     Fax: (310) 377-0380

     Mission Statement
     Chadwick, a K-12 school founded in 1935, is dedicated to academic excellence and to the development of self-confident individuals of exemplary character. Students are prepared through experience and self-discovery to accept the responsibilities inherent in personal freedom and to contribute positively to contemporary society. The Chadwick Community is committed to living in accordance with its core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness and compassion.

     Community Service
     Chadwick’s Community Service Program is rooted in the school’s mission: that education transcends academic excellence and must also involve the development of good character. To that end, we offer a large and varied Community Service Program that engages students in a range of levels and areas of interest. Chadwick students are not required to become involved in community service, but most of them choose to do so.

     The program encompasses weekly, monthly, and annual outreach opportunities. Students avail themselves of these activities depending on their availability and level of interest in a particular program.

     On four afternoons a week, students are driven by parent volunteers in school vans to one of the several sites that Chadwick School visits. If you dropped by yourself, you would see Chadwick students tutoring elementary school students at schools in Wilmington and San Pedro, interacting with developmentally disabled students, assisting with projects at local convalescent and retirement homes in the South Bay, or visiting with people who are diagnosed with cognitive or traumatic brain injuries.

     For further information, contact:

     Becky Noble, Community Service Director
     Ext. 4182

106. Neill Vaughan
     May 30th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

     let’s CONTRAST Mother Teresa to Edna, since Drew Belk has made the rediculous comparison. Come on, Drew. How low a standard can you have?

     Let’s start by listing words to describe Mother Teresa and contrast them to words people use to describe Edna Hernandez (and Tony).

     Words to describe Mother T.
     Loving, compassion, integrity, healthy, wise, full of life, helpful, selfless, faithful, integrity, teacher, model of servanthood, lover of the poor, servant to the oppressed, productive, credible

     A place named Kerala has decided that every year August 26, the day when the Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata was born, shall be celebrated as Orphan Day in her honor.

     A photo on the web shows “Mother Teresa cradles an orphan baby, she found in a garbage can and saved from the rats, in this 1979 photo.”

     OK. Time to define the words people us to describe Edna.

     BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving

     De•ceive – verb
     to be false; to fail to fulfill: CHEAT: to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid: to practice deceit; to give a false impression: synonyms DECEIVE, MISLEAD, DELUDE, BEGUILE mean to lead astray or frustrate by underhandedness. DECEIVE implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness MISLEAD implies intentionally leading astray. DELUDE implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving

     Cheat – verb
     1: to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
     2: to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
     3: to practice fraud or trickery
     4: to violate rules dishonestly

     Cheat•er noun
     synonyms CHEAT, DEFRAUD, SWINDLE mean to get something by dishonesty or deception. CHEAT suggests using trickery that escapes observation DEFRAUD stresses depriving one of rights deliberate perversion of the truth SWINDLE implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence

     Fraud – noun
     1 a: DECEIT, TRICKERY; specifically : intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right
     b: an act of deceiving or misrepresenting
     2 a: a person who is not what he or she pretends to be : IMPOSTOR: one who defrauds
     CHEAT b: one that is not what she seems or is represented to be
     see DECEPTION, IMPOSTURE

     Con – noun
     something used deceptively to gain another’s confidence; See SWINDLE

     Swin•dle – verb
     to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit: to take money or property by fraud or deceit
     synonyms see CHEAT

     Hey Drew, people may use the word “mother” to describe Edna, but they don’t mean Mother T.

107. Bethany
     May 30th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

     (Just to clarify, this is NOT Bethany Vaughn)

     I went down to MRO many times with my church back in the 90’s when I was in jr. high and high school. I have not been back for years although I have had contact with the Hernandezes in the late 90’s and a few years after that through my home church, and with the Chiarelli’s as recently as a few years ago when I got married.

     I think I can speak for many of us who grew up going to MRO–it was a crucial time in our spiritual walks with the Lord and a huge factor in the formation of our view of missions, not to mention for some of us the first time we left the comforts of the United States. Of course, hearing these allegations at first was, to say the least, shocking. As time went on and the evidence increased, it became harder and harder to deny the validity of the financial records, testimonies from the victims, polygraphs, etc. Don’t get me wrong–the difficulty did not come because I did not believe the victims but rather because I did not WANT to believe that the Hernandez family was capable of such deceit. I think this is what is causing so many people to be blind to the truth–our love and trust were betrayed by those we not only loved, but looked up to. These were people who were formative in our walks with the Lord and people we “served” side by side with.

     Looking back now, I realize that the reason I never questioned why the kids always wore such old clothes and never had anything new (although our church CERTAINLY couldn’t have been the only church to donate new clothes/shoes), or why they cried when we left (surely we were just cool people and they loved us?) or why there was a look of despair hidden behind their smiles (as a naive American teenager I figured it was because this was how all children in orphanages looked). I never questioned ANYTHING because, come on, this was a MINISTRY, we were on a MISSIONS trip, and we were all CHRISTIANS. I never thought it was possible to have been deceived for so many years. We invited them into our homes, our churches, our lives, and were lied to. This is exactly why there are so many people who refuse to see the truth. We have invested in not only the lives of the children at MRO, but in the lives of the Hernandez family.

     One thing that has not been addressed in the flood of emotions and anger is that the Bible clearly calls for repentance from the Hernandezes. It’s hard not to focus on what should happen TO them when we are all so angry and horrified at the abuse that has taken place, but I think that while the Lord grieves and hurts for each child that has been wronged, the Lord also grieves for Antonio, Edna, Josh and Lucio and how they have strayed from his arms. I pray for the children, but I am a sinner myself and I sadly find myself praying for some horrible fate to find Antonio so that he may be “brought to justice”. Fortunately, the Lord doesn’t always bring people to justice in the way that we would want…and jumping off a bridge, as referenced in past comments, would be a quick and easy end to what should be a long life in prison and to stand before the world and answer for what has been done.

     What would clear up all the dodging of questions, and excuses, and stalling, and lying, and corruption, would be for Antonio to come forward by the leading of the Holy Spirit and to ADMIT AND CONFESS WHAT HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE DONE. This would immediately end all questioning by those who blindly support him; it would avoid the lengthy legal battle that may drag on for months; it would spare the children and former staffers involved from this waiting game. Let’s spur one another on to pray for what the Lord would want us to pray for instead of what we want, because hey, maybe I’m the only one out there like this, but I certainly don’t need anyone helping me to feel angry and hateful, and my anger does NOTHING in the fight for justice for the abused. Even Oprah or Dateline, while bringing a media frenzy to the situation, cannot actually DO anything legally. The myth is that there are 2 sides to choose from: FOR Antonio, or AGAINST Antonio. We forget that maybe choosing the side that is FOR THE CHILDREN may require us to spend a little less time enraged at Antonio and a little more time praying for rest, peace, healing, provision, etc. for the victims. What happens to the children as more churches start retreating from their summer plans because they cannot bear to look the Hernandezes in the eye? We need to pray for wise team leaders and shrewd but loving team members who can still go to MRO, look evil in the eye, and spend every moment they are there showing love to the kids there and lifting them, the attorneys on both sides, the Mexican authorities, the Hernandezes, and every single person involved in this situation up in prayer.

     The Lord is in control, and has a plan, so let’s keep each other encouraged with that. Do you really believe that? I do, and I hope you do too.

     In Christ-
     Bethany

108. Abigail Boche - Translation
     May 30th, 2008 at 11:38 pm

     Here is my best attempt to translate Abigail Boche’s blog left on
     May 28th @ 2:41, above. -Bill

     ========================================

     WHAT HAPPENED WITH THOSE COWARDS? WHY DON’T THEY ANSWER OUR COMMENTS? ANTONIO HERNANDEZ Y HIS BEASTS. EVA HERNANDEZ IS A SOCIAL WORKER. SHE SHOULD DEFEND THE ABUSED CHILDREN. BUT SHE IS AN ACCOMPLICE OF ALL THE ABUSES ALSO TOGETHER WITH THE DIF SOCIAL MEXICAN SERVICE AGENCY, THEY ARE A FILTH OF CORRUPTION. THIS WHOLE GROUP OF BAD PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN (EXPUNGED) FROM THIS WORLD.

     IT MAKES ME VERY SAD THAT I KNOW EMERALD IS EMBARRASSED, I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK? BUT I SAY THAT THE FAMILY HERNANDEZ CONTINUE TO THRIVE. FOR SO MANY GIRLS IN MIRACLE RANCH, THE HERNANDEZ VIOLATE THEM, EMBARRASS THEM AND THEN THEY DISAPPEAR. I WAS AT MIRACLE RANCH FOR 7 YEARS AND I SAW SO MANY BAD THINGS AND I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING BUT IT WASN’T EASY, MY MOTHER TOOK ME OUT OF MIRACLE RANCH IN 1990 AND TO THIS DAY I HAVE NIGHTMARES OF MY EXPERIENCES AND WHAT MY EYES SAW.

     I WONDER WHY ONE OF OUR PUNISHMENTS WAS TO LOAD STONES UP AND DOWN IN THE CREEK. PERHAPS WITH THE STONES WERE WE COVERING ANY OF HIS CRIMES? OR WAS IT ONLY A PUNISHMENT? OR PERHAPS MY NIGHTMARES DO NOT END FOR PERHAPS UNDER THESE STONES ARE THE CHILDRAN THAT DISAPPEARED FROM MIRACLE RANCH.

     OR BECAUSE WAS HE PUNISHING US (DIGGING HOLES IN THE) GROUNDS THE WHOLE DAY WITHOUT TAKING WATER AND WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM IN THE FULL SUN. JOSE DRANK WATER IN FRONT OF US AND WAS MAKING FUN OF ME BECAUSE (I COULD BARELY CARRY THE LOAD FROM THE HOLES. PERHAPS THEY WERE TO BURY SOMEONE? THAT’S WHY WERE WE SCRATCHING NON-STOP OR ONLY FOR PUNISHMENT? I DON’T. THEY ARE BAD AND YOU WERE (LIKELY) KEEPING SILENT ABOUT SOMEONE WHOSE LIFE THEY HAD TAKEN. I AM SPEAKING OF ANTONIO HERNANDEZ AND JOSE HERNANDEZ.

     O.F.G reply on May 31, 2008:

     On the original transcript, Abigail uses the word in spanish: embarasada, the translation is pregnant.

109. Neill Vaughan
     May 31st, 2008 at 1:20 am

     16 There are six things the LORD hates,
     seven that are detestable to him:

     17 haughty eyes,
     a lying tongue,
     hands that shed innocent blood,

     18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
     feet that are quick to rush into evil,

     19 a false witness who pours out lies
     and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

     Anger is a normal, healthy Godly Christian response to evil. As we have posted in other parts of the blog, our battle is not against flesh and blood (Meaning Tony & Edna). It’s spiritual warfare, fighting against evil. The faces of evil in this story have been Tony, Edna, Jose, Miguel, Mark S., Drew, the Baja Children’s Fund, Joshua, Eva, Elda, Lucio, etc., but when they pass away, evil will take another form.

     Many of us underestimate evil, which plays right into the devil’s hands. Most Christians don’t have any experiencer fighting evil and are so, so, so slow to recognize it (or they miss it completely) God expresses emotion, Jesus got angry, and as the scriptures say, “God hates…”

     The best advice is to follow God and the prompting of His Holy Spirit. We may be angry, calm, happy, sad and experience many different emotions. Anger can be helpful to overcome intimidation and fear. The key though, is to be led by the Spirit and not seek to satisfy your sinful desires. That’s what it means to deny yourself:

     Matthew 16
     24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

     Knowing God’s will isn;t difficult. It’s difficult to follow God’s prodding, leading and guidance. This situation w/ the orphange provides an unbelieveable opportunity to grow in faith and learn about what it means to be a Christian.

     1 John 3:10
     This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God;

     The scripture is clear. Tony, Edna and their supporters often quote scripture and announce they are Christians. The standard for being a Christian is higher then talk. Christians follow Christ and do what is right. Helping Tony and Edna, misleading the donors, covering up lies, sitting silent when you know a false or misleading statement is being said on TV News, is not doing what is right. God did not lead anyone to support Tony. He sent His people to save those that were oppressed, but His followers failed, time and time again by not doing what is right.

     2 Thessalonians 3:13
     And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

     If Christians understood evil, they’d be less likely to counsel others to make peace with the devil and his servants. Believing that if we just love one another and turn the other cheek it’ll all be good! In other words, it’s up to us. Not so.

     We are nothing and we are powerless. Our best option is to surrender to the will of God and try to get out of His way.

     God parted the Red Sea, brought plagues, made water come out of a rock, led by a cloud by day and fire by night, destroyed cities, turned a person to salt, flooded the world, had a fish swallow Jonah, raised His Son from the dead and other powerful miracles.

     But most of the time, He doesn’t do those things. Those major events are rare. He works through people most often. He wants us to listen. When He decides to root out evil, we cannot assume it’s not His will, even if we don’t like His choice of events or the people he chooses to involve in the process.

     Many priests and levites passed by on the other side. Many had sympathy for Tony and Edna and wanted to make sure they were respected in this process. They spoke of forgiveness, vengence is Mine, let’s keep it out of the courts, let’s handle this within the body, etc. Foolish talk and a misuse of scripture. He showed us the evil and how did we respond? What did you do when you were presented with this matter or another matter where God is calling you into action. The scriptures aren’t an excuse to be idle. Saying God is in control has been used in this matter as a cop out, a reason to avoid involvement.

     Tony and Edna died years ago. Isaiah 61:8 says “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.

     If we love justice, we’re in God’s will. We don’t need God to lead again when He has already stated it so clearly.

     revenge: Any form of personal retaliatory action against an individual, institution, or group for some perceived harm or injustice.

     1. The quality of being just; fairness.
     2. a. The principle of moral rightness; equity.
     b. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness.
     3.a. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law.
     b. Law The administration and procedure of law.
     4. Conformity to truth, fact, or sound reason:

     Micah 6:8
     He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

     So it’s OK to want to see justice and don;t confuse it with revenge. And by all means, do not cast your pearls before swine. Tony and Edna have no interest in seeking forgiveness and have never even slowed down their pursuit of evil. As I said, they died a long time ago and made a decision to do evil and deny the Almighty God, who demands that we care for orphans, the meek, the innocent. God loves everyone, but Tony and Edna don;t care about God or His ways. They are trying to fight God, which is fruitless and others with more power and influence then them have tried and failed. The victory is won. You can see victory in the heros, who took Tony’s best shot and have lived to tell about it. Today, Tony and Edna are pathetic ants running around Ensenada trying to collect reference letters from strangers who werent there while they were abusing kids.

     It’s satisfying to see justice. There is great joy in victory. When evil loses, it’s a celebration. They sure gossiped and lied alot, but they are silent and hiding now. I like the silence, after listening to lie, after lie, after lie. But they are silent now, meeting in the dark. Can you imagine trying to beat God? Maybe Tony’s lawyer Juan Avila Canela Churro can figure that one out.

     Being a Christian means being a soldier in battle against evil. The pen, the internet, the media, the truth, courageous, persistent heros speaking out, prayer, prayer, prayer are great weapons. God doesn’t bow down to evil, nor does He negotiate with it. He smashes it’s head and cuts it off.

     This matter is definitely not a time for Kumbaya, for ignoring His will and for avoiding scripture that calls us into battle.

     Acts 13:10
     “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?

     Ephesians 6:11-16
     11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

     1 Peter 5:8
     Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

     1 John 3:8
     He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

     1 John 3:10
     This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God;

     Luke 12:50-60
     51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

110. GLADYS MELENDEZ
     May 31st, 2008 at 11:30 pm

     Estaba pensando queba a pasar con los ninos que estan en el RANCHO EL MILAGRO cuando aresten a estos DIABLOS quien seba aser cargo de ellos. o cuando aigan nuevas presonas.quien lasba a escojer para que no aiga personas como ANTONIO HERNANDEZ Y JOSE HERNANDEZ,EDNA HERNANDEZ ,JOSE OLIVERA,MIGUEL OLIVERA.o ban a serar EL RANCHO EL MILAGRO.

     GLADYS MELENDEZ - TRANSLATION reply on June 1, 2008:

     I was thinking. What is going to happen with the children that are still at hte Miracle Ranch when those DEVILS get arrested? Who is going to take care of them? Or when new people take over, who is going to chose them so they won’t be the same type of persons such as ANTONIO HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, EDNA HERNANDEZ, JOSE OLIVERA, and MIGUEL OLIVERA. Or will the Miracle Ranch be closed?

111. O.F.G
     June 1st, 2008 at 2:38 am

     Gladys,

     I really believe that the children will be better off going to another orphanage.

     After I told Calvary’s Pastor Steve Henschel, (administrative) and the Scotts (Mexican Ministry) some of what happened to me and the story about B.’s rape (she was about 6 or 7 years old), and how Edna just cleaned her up and then tucked her in, ever so gently, they were so shocked to what I had just said.

     They, mostly Mrs. Scott, told me about how many years they had been going and how Edna had dedicated her life to that orphanage. How Edna and Tony were only suppost to be there temporarily until a permanent replacement came. She mentioned some kids and said that none of them ever said anything to them about abuse.

     I was shaking and crying, as this was the first time I had told anybody B’s story. I felt, at that moment, the need to say one of the most mind damaging memory I could remember.

     The Scott’s explained to me how leaving the children was not the answer. They asked me ‘what did I recommend?’. So, in my confusion, I told them to continue going. Take a lunch to the kids. Sit with them. The kids do not want to listen to another bible story. They listened to one all the time. (Before a beating and after a beating. Before a rape or molestation and after a rape or molestation).

     I thought, ‘the kids only have Tony and Edna’. Most important Edna. She is the one who probably still cleans them up. It never occur to me to say “why don’t you support me?”. “Let’s continue to go and help me question the kids there so we can have evidence of the abuse”.

     I did not find it at all suspicious that prior to my visit to the orphanage, the Scott’s had called Edna ahead with my allegations. By the time I got there and without me asking, Edna told me what year I had left. And that in 1998, I had visited with my sister. If I had remembered my visit in 1998, I wouldn’t had told Calvary about what happened. 1998 was disappointing enough.

     According to Edna, I made a scene. I have yet to verified this with my sister. I don’t really remember. Everytime I tried to say something, I wasn’t believed. This time, my own sister didn’t seem conviced either. We never talked about it again.

     So you see? We shouldn’t worry about ‘where’ or ‘what’ will happen to the children. The Mexican authorities are already in the spot light. They know that ‘we’ are watching them. They won’t leave the children alone. They will place them in another orphanage.

     Oh, by the way. Tony won’t leave the orphanange because the land is on his name now. He stole it from the foundation that was helping the children.

     *****To anyone who reads my blogs. It is very difficult and sometimes impossible for me to call this orphanage by its tittled name. There is no miracle in that orphanage, just pure evil. Even we, the orphans come out of there full of anger and hate.*****

112. Bill
     June 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm

     I think it could be very dangerous for anyone who might take over
     the orphanage after Tony and Edna have finally been arrested and
     removed from the premises.

     When Tony gets arrested (and put behind bars?) he could get out,
     and will likely be furious at what happened and will still claim
     innocence. And he may think he should still be entitled to the
     land and to run the place…

     Who knows what he might to the kids living there and the new
     directors.

113. Hung
     June 1st, 2008 at 3:26 pm

     A Facebook group has been established for this cause titled “The TRUTH about Miracle Ranch Orphanage: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18800931555

114. O.F.G
     June 1st, 2008 at 5:45 pm

     I recently sent this e-mail to the 5 members of the Baja Children’s Fund. I am very frustrated with their lack of responsibility.

     Date: Sunday, June 1, 2008 5:38 PM

     To: billn@solidwastesystems.com, david@diamondbcabinet.com, cbelk@verizon.com, fransen.partners@verizon.net, mpstratton1@aol.com

     Subject: How Many?

     I wonder:

     How many of those children on your website have been raped?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website have been molested?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website have been brutally beaten?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website are accounted for?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website are missing?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website are missing because they are pregnant?!?!?!?!

     How many of those children on your website are pregnant?!?!?!?!

     How many?!?!?!?!

     How many?!?!?!?!

     How many?!?!?!?!

     Do you know?!?!?!?!?!?!

     Who are you going to ask?!?!?!?!

     Tony?!?!?!?!

     Jose?!?!?!?!

     Eva?!?!?!?!

     The rest of the Hernandez’?!?!?!?!

     Oh, your mother Teresa…Right?!?!?!?!

     Shouldn’t you ask the children themselves?

     If you are true Christian men, please respond to me.

     Witness reply on June 11, 2008:

     I’ve been following this blog for the past couple of weeks. At first I was outraged, but then just deeply saddened. There truly is an injustice being done here. I would like to address this post to all of the people that have been at Miracle Ranch to volunteer in the past–those who are mourning for these children. It isn’t necessary to respond to me. Just consider what I have to say.

     There are people at Miracle Ranch right now who Steve and Neill do not know about. American and Mexican young people you have come voluntarily to care for the kids for varying periods of time. They are the ones who get them up in the morning, who help them get ready for school, who look after their chores, who help bathe them, and who pray with them at their bedsides. They are with those kids almost every moment that they are at Miracle Ranch.

     I realize that I am opening myself up to attack by posting this comment, but I cannot keep silent any longer. I am a witness to the fact that THERE IS NO ABUSE TAKING PLACE AT MIRACLE RANCH RIGHT NOW.

     I can’t speak for what may or may not have happened so many years ago. But I can swear to you and anyone who will choose to listen to me that every single child is safe, healthy, and happy.

     It breaks my heart every time I read a post from somebody who has been to Miracle Ranch in the past and feels that they have been deliberately deceived. After hearing the accusations, I’m sure I also would wonder what happened to the kids after my week-long mission trip. But as somebody who has stayed behind after the group leaves, I can tell you that nothing changes. The kids are always sad to see you go, but they are treated just as well as when you were there.

     The last thing I want to do is engage myself in a war of words over the internet, and so this will be my first and last post on this blog. I also do not wish my name to be disrespected or mocked, as has been the case with all others who have defended Rancho El Milagro, so I will remain anonymous.

     Please consider what I have told you. You may not know the whole story from where you sit.

115. Cindy
     June 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am

     It is sad to see how the Mexican authorities are not putting a stop to this abuse. I’m sure those man are still taking advantage of innocent children. They need to pay for all the damage they cause in the life of all these people. At the very least they need to remove them from the orphanage until they are proven guilty. If they are guilty, they are going to need medical help because only sick people would do the things they did.
     I also can NOT believe the new charity in charge of The Miracle Ranch! They are not taking seriously all the testimonies of over thirty men and woman. What are they waiting for? If they care so much for the children they should start doing something about it.

116. Isela E. (AKA Espinoza)
     June 2nd, 2008 at 5:13 pm

     Al principio, cuando yo me empecé a enterar del caso del MRO, no entendía mucha de la información que estaba obteniendo. Primero, porque no podía aceptar toda esta realidad. Segunda porque muchos nombres son nuevos para mí.

     Inconscientemente estaba bloqueando mi mente y no podía entender tanto dolor. Al recibir tantas malas noticias, no supe reaccionar. Me pasaba días llorando y durmiendo, tratando de encontrar una justificación o alguna respuesta.

     Yo no quería aceptar que hubiera tantos casos tan similares al mío. Fue mucho en muy poco tiempo para mí. Yo no quería realizar que era la verdad. A pesar de todo, alguna vez si llegue a sentirme parte de esta gran familia. Todo esto lo estoy entendiendo y aceptándolo poco a poco.

     Estuve revisando mi correo electrónico, mucha de la información obtenida antes empezó a tomar forma. Estuve leyendo algunas declaraciones que me llamaron mucho la atención.

     María Monter, de El Jorol, que también fue la cocinera, en su declaración declara que ella conoce a Cecilia Rojas Ávila. Monter declara que ‘Cecilia siempre fue una niña insegura, reservada, y que no convivía mucho con los demás niños,’ esas fueron sus palabras acerca de Cecilia. Eliza Tarín Mendoza por su parte confirma en su declaración que Cecilia fue una niña seria, rezongona, que se ponía a llorar por cualquier cosa, y que además era corajuda. Su hermano José de Jesús Martínez Ávila en su declaración dice que Cecilia era una niña muy tímida y reservada y que Cecilia nunca le comentó nada a él.

     Mi pregunta es la siguiente: ¿Si una niña está sufriendo de todos estos síntomas, no sería lógico que fuera tratada por algún profesional? No es normal que un niño o niña sufra de todos estos síntomas y no reciba ningún tipo de apoyo emocional. Estas declaraciones fueron hechas bajo el ministerio público de Ensenada, Baja California, México.

     Algo más me llamó la atención, Monter, en su declaración dice que ella empezó a trabajar en el MRO en 1986. Esta declaración es totalmente falsa. “Yo salí del MRO en 1985”. Monter ya tenía años de trabajar con nosotros. ¿Cómo puede ser tomada una declaración en serio de una persona que conscientemente está dando información falsa?

     Además, Monter nunca se hizo cargo de ninguna otra actividad que no fuera cocinar. María tenía su horario; y su horario era de llegada y de salida. Monter llegaba a las 9:00 a.m. o 10:00 a.m. Hacia su trabajo en la cocina, y se iba derechito para su casa por el mismo camino en el que llego. Monter nunca estuvo presente en ninguna actividad en el internado. Ella nunca estuvo en la mañana para el desayuno, ni en la tarde para la cena. Los fines de semana eran los días libres de Monter.

     Cuando nosotros, los internos llegábamos a las 5:30 pm de la escuela, Monter ya estaba en su casa. Los abusos que ella presencio, y ella lo sabe, solamente fueron los que ocurrieron en la cocina o muy cerca de la cocina. Si es verdad que ella nos conoce, y también que muchos de nosotros la quisimos. La razón es obvia, ella nunca estuvo encargada de ayudar con la disciplina de los internos. Así que nosotros la queríamos por no darnos mal tratamiento.

     En este tiempo, Monter tenía muchos problemas con su ex esposo, al punto de llegar varias veces al MRO golpeada y moreteada. Recuerdo verla llegar golpeada, y así ella trabajaba. Ella en ese tiempo si fue muy reservada. Solamente se dedicaba a su trabajo. Por esta razón yo no puedo aceptar que el TESTIMONIO DE MARIA MONTER, DEL JOROL TENGA VALIDEZ.

     Isela E. (AKA Espinoza)-translation reply on June 2, 2008:

     At the beginning, when I started informing myself of the MRO’s case, I did not understand a lot of the information that I was obtaining. First, because I couldn’t accept all this reality. Second, because many names are new to me.

     Unconsciously, I was blocking my mind and could not understand so much pain. Having received so many bad news, I could not react. I was spending my days crying and sleeping, trying to find a justification or some response.

     I did not want to accept that there were so many cases so similar to mine. It was too for much me in so little time. I did not want to realize that it was the true. In spite of everything, at one time I did feel I was part of this big family. I understand all this and am accepting it little by little.

     I was checking my e-mails and a lot of the information I obtained earlier started taking form. I was reading some of the declarations that caught my attention o lot.

     María Monter, del Jorol, who was also the cook, declares in her declaration that she knows Cecilia Rojas Ávila. Monter declares that ‘Cecilia was always an insecure, reserved girl, and she would not coexist very much with the other children,’ these were her words about Cecilia. Eliza Tarín, on her part, confirms in her declaration that Cecilia was a serious girl, talked back, would start to cry for any reason, and also that she was short-tempered. Her brother José de Jesús Martínez Ávila, in his declaration says that Cecilia was a very shy and reserved girl and that Cecilia never commented anything to him.

     My question is the following: If a girl is suffering from all these symptoms, would it not be logical, that she should have been treated by a professional? It’s not normal that a child suffering from all these symptoms and does not receive any type of emotional support. These declarations were done under the public department of law in Ensenada, Baja California, México.

     Something more caught my attention, Monter, in her declaration says that she started working at MRO in 1986. This declaration is completely false. I left the MRO in 1985. Monter had already been working there for years with us. How can a declaration be taken seriously from a person who consciously is giving false information?

     Besides, Monter never took charge of any activities other than cooking. Maria had her schedule; and her schedule was to arrive and to return. Monter would come at 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. She would do her work in the kitchen, and she would return to her house using the same route in which she had come. Monter was never present in any activities of the orphanage. She was never there in the morning for breakfast, and she was not there in the evening for dinner. The weekends were the days off for Monter.

     When we, the interns arrived at 5:30 p.m. from school, Monter was already gone. The abuse that she witnessed, and she knows it, were only those that occurred in the kitchen or very next to the kitchen. It is true that she knows us and that many of us liked her. The reason is obvious; she was never entrusted to help with the discipline of the interns. So we liked her for not mistreating us.

     At this time, Monter had many problems with her ex-husband, to the point of coming several times to the MRO beaten and bruised. I remember seeing her arrive beaten, and thats how she would work. She at that time, kept to herself. She only devoted herself to her work. For this reason I cannot accept that the TESTIMONY OF MARIA MONTER, OF EL JOROL, HAS VALIDITY.

117. Abigail Boche
     June 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm

     HOLA! ISELA YO SOY ABIGAIL BOCHE NO SE SI TU TE ACUERDAS DE MI, YO SOLO ME ACUERDO UN POCO DE TI, ME ACUERDO MAS DE NORMA Y BETO Y COKA, EVITA ES MI MAMA ASI LE DESIAN EN EL RANCO Y LUCIO HERNANDEZ ES MI PADRASTRO BUENO ESPERO QUE TE ACUERDES UN POCO DE MI.
     ISELA LO SIENTO MUCHO POR EL TERROR QUE TE TOCO VIVIR EN EL RANCHO YO TAMBIEN SUFRI MUCHAS COSAS FEAS MIRE MUCHAS COSAS ORRIBLES COMO TU Y TODO ESTO ME DUELE MUCHO QUISIERA EVITAR LOS RECUERDOS Y NO ABLAR DEL TEMA, PERO TRATO DE SER FUERTE POR QUE QUIERO AYUDAR A LOS NINOS QUE AHORA SUFREN EN EL RANCHO. QUIERO DESIRTE QUE ESTOY DE ACUERDO CON TIGO EL TESTIMONIO DE MARIA LA COSINERA ES TOTAL MENTE FALSO. ELLA MIRO MUCHOS ABUSOS, PUES ANTONIO LE ORDENO QUE ME PELARA ARRAPA DESPUES DE QUE ANTONIO ME GOLPEO BRUTAL MENTE
     MARIA ME MIRO GOLPEADA ELLA ME CORTO EL PELO COMO HOMBRE NO ME RAPO TAL VEZ POR QUE ME MIRO MUY LASTIMADA Y YO NO PARABA DE LLORAR Y MARIA DISE QUE NUNCA MIRO NINGUN ABUSO? Y TAMBIEN ANTONIO Y JOSE NOS GOLPEABAN EN EL COMEDOR MIENTRAS COMIAMOS MARIA ESTABA AI CUANDO ANTONIO LE QUEBRO SU TAZA DE CAFE CALIENTE A JOHNY EN LA CABEZA Y MARIA ERA LA ENCARGADA DE NO DARLES DE COMER ALOS NINOS (AS) QUE SE ORINABAN DESPUES DE SER GOLPEADOS POR JOSE O ANTONIO LOS MANDABAN A LAVAR SUS COBIJAS Y SU ROPA Y LUEGO LOS DEJABAN SIN COMER, TAMBIEN A LOS NINOS QUE TENIAN MAS HAMBRE Y PEDIAN OTRO PLATO DE COMIDA MARIA MIRABA LA LISTA NEGRA QUE ESTABA PEGADA EN LA PARED DE LA COSINA Y MARIA NO LES DABA DE COMER LOS DEJABA CON HAMBRE Y ESTAS ERAN ORDENES DE ANTONIO. Y MARIA CUMPLIA SUS ORDENES SON TANTAS COSAS FEAS QUE ELLA MIRO Y PARTISIPO MARIA ES COMPLISE DE MUCHOS ABUSOS Y MUCHISIMO MAS. MARIA MINTIO TOTALMENTE EN SU TESTIMONIO APOYANDO A ANTONIO Y SU FAM. ME LLENA DE TRISTEZA Y DE CORAJE QUE AYAN VIOLADO A TANTAS NINAS Y NINOS Y TODO EL DANO QUE NOS AN CAUSADO. Y NO AY JUSTICIA ANTONIO Y EDNA Y LOS DEMAS HERNANDEZ SON UNOS ASQUEROZOS PARASITOS QUE SE AN ENRIQUESIDO ROBANDONOS NUERTROS REGALOS VENDIENDOLOS Y ROBANDOSE NUESTRA COMIDA PARA ELLOS VENDERLA Y ROBANDO A LOS AMERICANOS DISIENDO QUE EL DINERO ES PARA LOS NINOS PERO EL DINERO NUNCA FUE PARA NOSOTROS EL DINERO QUE AN DONADO LOS AMERICANOS AN LLENADO DE RIQUEZAS A ANTONIO Y SU FAM, POR ESO ES DIFISIL QUE LOS HERNANDEZ Y EDNA VALLAN A LA CARCEL POR QUE TIENEN COMPRADAS A LAS AUTORIDADES. PERO ME RIO DE ELLOS. PUES ANTONIO CUANDO TE MUERAS TODO TU DINERO Y TODAS TUS PROPIEDADES QUE TE AS ROBADO INCLUYENDO LA CASA DE MI MAMA SE QUEDARAN AQUI EN LA TIERRA. COMO LE PAGARAS AL DIABLO? PARA QUE TE DEJE SALIR DEL INFIERNO A TI Y TU FAMILIA. DIOS ES JUSTO Y TENDREMOS JUSTISIA.

118. Griseda
     June 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am

     I’ve known Steve and Kathy Shinhofen since 2003 and one thing I know for sure is that they have a genuine Love of Christ. From the monent they wake up and their feet touch the ground they are working for the Lord. Their intentions are pure and they have a heart of obedience to do God’s will. I have witnessed myself all the time they have put in to help the orphans . They have spent countless hours helping those who are in need with no alterior motives for personal gain. You are in my prayers Steve Kathy and THE Orphans at Miracle Ranch…..Gods hand is upon this matter…press on for the Lord Loves you and You will have VICTORY in HIS timing.

119. Betania/Bethany Vaughan
     June 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am

     Solo quiero decir que es bueno para ustedes hablar que esta en sus corazones. Estoy seguro que Antonio, Edna y el resto de la familia Hernandez estan leendo este blog. En este forma (el blog), ustedes pueden decirlos que quieren a ellos. Y por hablando de sus sintimientos y sus dolores, ustedes pueden sanar. Queremos (Neill, Steve y yo, y muchas otras) que ustedes tienen encontrar sanando en sus vidas y ustedes pueden seguir con mas alegria y esperanza en el futuro.

     Tambien es bueno para hablar con otros internos del rancho, de sus esperiencias y recuerdos; Es bueno porque es un camino de sanar. Ustedes son heroes y vencedores de un tiempo muy horible, pero ahora es el tiempo de sanar.

     Es verdad que ahora somos en un guierra spiritual, contra el diablo y sus su ayudantes, pero Jesus ya gana esta guierra. Podemos confiar en el y podemos descansar en sus brazos. En el Senor hay poder para continuar. Nescesitamos continuar, sin parar, hasta el fin.

     Les doy mi amor y mis oraciones.

120. Betania/Bethany Vaughan TRANSLATION
     June 4th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

     I only want to say that it is good for you all to speak from your hearts. I am sure that Antonio, Edna and the rest of the Hernandez family are reading this blog. In this form (the blog) you all can say to them what you want to. And by talking of your feelings and pains, you all can heal. We (Neill, Steve and I, and many others) want for you all to find healing in your lives and that you can continue on with more joy and hope in the future.

     Also it is good to talk with other people who lived at the ranch, of your experiences and memories; It is good because it is the way to healing. You all are heros and conquerors (people who overcome) of a very horrible time, but now is the time to heal.

     It is true that now we are in a spiritual war, against the devil and his helpers, but Jesus has already won this war. We can trust in Him and we can rest in His arms. In the Lord there is power to continue. We need to continue without stopping, until the end.

     I give you my love and prayers.

121. Mick Parisi
     June 5th, 2008 at 1:40 pm

     The following is an email that was sent off to Bill O’Reilly at FOX news.

     Dear Bill O’Reilly and the FOX News Staff,
     I am writing in regards to sexual abuse that is taking place in an Orphanage in Ensenada Mexico. The orphanage is called Miracle Ranch Orphanage. It has been in existence for approximately 30 years. It has recently been discovered that there has been sexual abuse taking place there for most of these 30 years! In fact even in light of no less that 38 people that have come forward with testimonies of abusive crimes that have been committed against them through the years at MRO, the orphanage is still supported by an organization called The Baja Children’s Fund that allows the same person to continue to be in charge there for the last 30 years.
     An investigation has been started by 10News out of San Diego, California and they have done a great job in bringing to light some of the atrocities that have taken place at MRO. But unfortunately it does not seem to be enough “pressure” to bring the guilty to justice.
     So may I submit, that for the proper action to be taken and for true justice to be served…we must go to Bill O’Reilly and his investigative team!
     Please do not let this continue on any longer!
     Please check out the 10News investigation story and the accompanying Blog’s to learn more… http://www.10news.com/index.html
     You may also learn more about MRO and contact those who are trying to bring this insanity to a halt at… http://www.miracle-ranch.org
     Thank you,
     A concerned citizen,
     Mick Parisi
     Anaheim, CA
     >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
     I would encourage everyone to do the same. With a loud enough “voice” and God on our side we may just get some national exposure to this story and have enough pressure applied to bring Tony and his minions to justice.

     I wish to applaud once again the bravery of all those who have come forward to share their stories about the crimes that were done to them through the years at MRO. I pray for God’s healing hand to be upon you all.

122. Neill Vaughan
     June 5th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

     Great letter, Mick! Thanks so much for doing that.

123. Bill
     June 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

     This is great… Thanks, Mick!

     The I agree with Neill… the best thing we can do now
     for the children still living at the orphanage is to get our
     voice heard and get the story out there… The more people
     we write to like Bill O’Reilly the better!

124. steve schinhofen
     June 6th, 2008 at 11:30 am

     This is for the many victims that lived at MRO and who have experence in justice it says in the book of psalms that God is a just God and he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted .God upholds our just cause;he is our vindicator[one who clears us from criticism and justifies us before others]. In this life,we may face many injustices;(1) we may be falsely accused and misunderstood by fiends and enemies;(3) the true value of our work and service may not be duly rewarded;(4)our ideas may be ignored.But God is to be praised, for he sees and remembers all the good we do, and it is up to him to decide the timing and the appropriateness of our rewards.If we do not trust him to vindcate us, then we will be susceptible to hatred and self-pity.God will never forsake those who seek him .To forsake someone is to abandon that person. God’s promise does not mean that if we trust in him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that Godhimself will never leave us no matter what we face in this life.So we can rest in God’s word psalm 9:7-10 The Lord reigns forever;he has established his throne for judgment. He will juge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed.a stronghold in times of trouble.So we love you and stand with all of you on the truth of your testmonys and will not ever abandon you

125. Bethany Vaughan
     June 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

     Amen!

126. Michelle-1
     June 6th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

     First, I would like to second Bethany’s AMEN to Steve’s June 6th comment. Even though we do not always understand what God is doing or feel like He is not doing anything, He is doing things that we can not see right now. Don’t give up. God will bring justice to the abusers and healing to the abused.

     The information about this situation has been sent to many major news outlets, ABC- NY, CBN and others. Keep praying for God’s direction and leading.

     To all the courageous former orphans, please know that there are people all over the country and world praying for you. They do not know you but they care about you and want you to find healing and new life in Jesus.

127. Ruby
     June 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

     THIS IS SO HARD FOR ME, I AM REALLY HURTING INSIDE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I LOVE THESE KIDS SO MUCH. I ALSO LOVE TONY, EDNA, LUCIO AND JOSH. IT’S SO HARD!!!!. WHEN I WAS THERE, THERE WAS A GIRL HER NAME IS EULALIA AND SHE WAS RAPED BY AN EX-ORPHAN AT THAT TIME HE WAS AN EMPLOYEE THERE NAMED MIGUEL. EULALIA ASKED ME IF SHE COULD ASK ME A QUESTION. SHE HAD TOLD OTHER GIRLS IN THE DORM BECAUSE THEY WERE ENCOURAGING HER TO TELL ME.THE GIRLS CALLED ME MOM. THEY SAID MOM EULALIA NEEDS TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD HAS HAPPENED TO HER. I SAID MAMITA, TO EULALIA WHAT HAPPENED SHE SAID, I ‘M EMBARRASSED, I SAID DON’T YOU TRUST ME SHE SAID AY AMA YES. SO I SAID THEN GO AHEAD AND TELL ME. SHE SAID THAT IN THE EVENINGS WHEN SHE WOULD BE PREPARING BREAKFAST THAT MIGUEL WOULD GO AND EAT DINNER AND THAT DURING THAT TIME THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH HER AND PUT HER THING(PENNIS) INSIDE OF HER. SHE SAID THAT SHE DIDN’T LIKE IT CAUSE IT HURT HER ALL THE WAY TO HER BELLY BUTTON. I ASKED HER EXACTLY WHERE WOULD THIS HAPPEN AND SHE SAID IN THE STORAGE ROOM NEXT TO THE KITCHEN RIGHT IN BACK OF THE DOOR. I SAID MAMITA PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS NOT TRUE. BECAUSE IF IT IS I NEED TO TELL EDNA AND MO-TONI (TONY) THAT HOW KIDS CALL HIM. SHE SAID YES BUT PLEASE DON’T TELL THEM BECAUSE MIGUEL SAID THAT IF SHE SAID ANYTHING THAT THEY WILL KICK HER OUT OF THE RANCH. I SAID NO, IF SOMETHING DID HAPPEN I NEED TO SAY SOME THING AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I ASKED HER ABOUT 3 TIMES TO TELL ME WHAT HAPPEN AND SHE WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. I PROMISED HER THAT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO HER AND THAT SHE WOULD STILL BE AT THE RANCH. SO I TOLD EDNA. THEN WE TALKED TO EULALIA. AT THAT TIME WE ASKED NORMA ALICIA AND GO COME IN WITH US AT TONY AND EDNAS HOUSE. EULALIA WAS ASKED TO LEAVE AND WE STARTED TELLING HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND DISCUSSING IF THIS THIS WAS FOR REA L. AT THAT TIME IF I’M NOT MISTAKEN JOSH WAS ALREADY THERE. WHEN WE STARTED TELLING NORMA ALICIA WHAT HAD HAPPEN HER FACE GOT RED AND SHE CRIED OUT YES, YES, I DO BELIEVE EULALIA, BECAUSE MIGUEL DID THE SAME THING TO ME AND THATS WHY I LEFT. MIGUEL SAID THAT IF I WERE TO SAY ANYTHING THAT I WOULD GET KICKED OUT OF THE RANCH SO I DECIDED TO LEAVE INSTEAD OF GETTING KICKED OUT. WE ALL STARTED TO CRY AND EDNA HUGGED NORMA ALICA AND SAID THAT SHE NEVER KNEW THAT, THAT HAD HAPPENED TO HER. THIS WAS COMMUNICATED TO TONY AND JOSE LUIS. TONY ASKED JOSE LUIS TO TALK TO MIGUEL AND ASK HIM IF THIS WAS THE TRUTH. MIGUEL DENIED EVERYTHING AND LEFT THE RANCH. EULALIA WAS TAKEN FOR A PREGNANCY TEST. EDNA, JOSH, BRENDA AND MY SELF WERE IN TOWN AND WE RECEIVED THE RESULTS. THEY GAVE THEM TO ME BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT OPEN THEM, SO I OPENED THEM AN THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT PREGNANT. I NEVER SAW MIGUEL AGAIN, BUT I DO NOW THAT HE RAPED EULALIA AND NORMA ALICA.

128. Don Meek
     June 6th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

     I am a member of the MRO Foundation Board of Directors, I live in Walnut Creek, CA (north of San Francisco, and have been involved in the investigation of the abuses at the Ranch from the first time we heard of the allegations. There has been sufficient evidence presented to convince me that the abuses happened, and that the Mexican judicial system should be doing more than they have done. At the very least, Tony & Edna should have removed themselves voluntarily from any position of authority at the Ranch until the system makes a conclusive ruling on the charges. This has not happened and we, the Board, are powerless to make it happen. So we will just have to wait until the justice system prevails, which I believe it will.
     In the meantime, my heart goes out to all the victims over the years who have had the courage and conviction to come forward and present their testimony. It have been incredibly difficult and sad to relive those horrible moments in their young lives. To you, I offer my heartfelt thanks, and I know you will be vindicated by the system and you will be able to restart your lives with a new vision.
     Thank you all, and God Bless you all.

     Don Meek

129. Betania/ Bethany Vaughan
     June 6th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

     This is in response to Ruby’s comment on June 6, 2008

     I want to thank you, Ruby, for having the courage to tell the truth. I know that it was very hard for you and I want to thank you for your courage.

     That is not the only time that Eulalia was taken for a pregnancy test. There was another time after that. It happened while my family and I were serving as missionaries at Miracle Ranch in the summer of 2006, shortly before we were threatened and had to leave the orphanage suddenly. Two young ladies living at the orphanage, Eulalia and Jazmin, were taken in for pregnancy tests at the same time.

     Here is how I learned of it: One day, Jazmin came to our home and told me in secret, that she was leaving that day. Tony (Antonio) had told her that she was not to tell anyone however she came over to our house quietly, to say good-bye. I asked her why she was leaving but she just shrugged her shoulders and shyly said that she didn’t know or couldn’t say. I could tell that she knew something but did not want to share it. I had no idea what it was.

     She left that day, while the other children were in school, without being able to say good-bye to anyone. She only was permitted to take a few items with her – one nice outfit, one play outfit and a small bag. She shared with me that Tony had told her what she was allowed to bring, nothing more.

     Around the same time, Octavio, the children’s (approximately 50 year old) bus driver stopped working at the Orphanage. Neither Tony or Edna offered any explanation for Jazmin or Octavio’s departure. Tony was always gone, and Edna was always in her house, busy doing something. When she was outside, she was occupied with a child or situation and it was difficult to pin her down for any type of discussion. When I finally got a few minutes of her time a couple of weeks later, I asked her about Jazmin. She acted surprised that I didn’t know what was going on, making it sound like she had talked with others about this and told me that Jazmin had been writing love notes to the bus driver, and that the other children found the notes. She said that they had had problems with Jazmin being flirtatious in the past. Edna said that Jazmin had some incidents at school, and finally Tony and Edna just took her out of school. (I have never known Jazmin to go to school for the several years I had known her.) It sounded odd to me and I knew in my gut that Jazmin was not to blame for this, even if she was flirtatious. My asscessment of Jazmin was that she was a normal 16 year old, girl. A grown, married man has no business allowing any type of inappropriate relationship to develop. She was not at fault. It seemed odd that Edna blamed Jazmin.

     For some reason, Edna also told me that they had taken Jazmin and Eulalia for a pregnancy test. I did not understand why they were taken for tests when it was supposedly notes that were passed between them. Nor did I have any idea why Eulalia would be taken. Edna said they took Eulalia because she could not remember when her last period was and it seemed as though she had missed a couple of months. But, according to Edna, neither of them were pregnant.

     We recently learned that Jazmin was sent to another orphanage for girls. At that same orphanage was another teenager that had been at Miracle Ranch at an earlier point in our time serving there. This young lady, named Teresa, had severe emotional problems and was very unhappy at Miracle Ranch. One day Tony took her away. I had noticed that even though Tony was not at the ranch during the day very much, nor was he very involved with the children, he was for some reason the one responsible for Teresa’s discipline. Edna told us that Teresa went to live with an aunt who was willing to take her. In fact, Teresa went to the girl’s orphanage where Jazmin later went.

     When we first learned that Tony had been arrested in 2003 coming out of a hotel with a 12 year old girl, we were shocked. We were even more shocked when we learned that her first name was Teresa. I don’t know to this day, if is the same Teresa, but given her behavior at the ranch and the way Tony controlled her discipline, it seems very suspect.

     Also, at the same time as his arrest in 2003, Tony supposedly had a heart operation. At the time, everyone felt horrible and tried to do everything possible to help him. Tens of thousands of dollars were sent down to help pay medical expenses without a single receipt for the money ever being sent back to the American Foundation or individuals who sent the money. Even when asked, Tony and Edna never produced receipts. Our Mexican lawyer can find no proof that Tony was in an Ensenada hospital for a heart operation. If the money did not go for a heart operation, what do you think Tony did with that money? I know what I think. You can draw your own conclusions.

130. Edna Hernandez
     June 6th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

     Edna wrote a letter to someone in 1988 that relates to Ruby’s entry. I (Neill Vaughan) want to share a part of the letter in this blog, to demonstrate how Edna is deceitful. What Ruby share sis consistent to what I have heard from Norma and from Edna separately and also from norma in front of a summer group visiting from the USA.

     Letter from Edna reads in part:
     “First of all we’ve had several problems with Norma alicia Soriano – boy/girl type. It got to the point of her trying to get Angeles to run away with her and trying to get Miguel to go to bed with her. We have informed the State Office for the orphanages so they could track down a relative who might want her. The office would not move on the situation so we finally told them that they had until last Wednesday to taske care of the problem or we would just deliver Norma to their office. This message was delivered last Monday morning and Norma ran away from school with her boy – friend (the current one) last Monday. So we turned in a report t the State Office and they took over. They apparently haven’t found her as yet.”

     End of excerpt from Edna’s letter.

     Ruby tells the truth about what really went down with Eulalia’s molestation and how Edna was well aware of a) Eulalia being molested and b) Norma being raped by the same person who raped Eulalia c) Edna’s letter shows how she tries to cover her tracks by making up a false story to explain why Norma left. Edna has written many letters like this one that we have found in the files. So many children leaving under strange circumstances. Knowing that Edna is a deceitful person, casts doubt on her other explainations. She’s a very good liar and really is able to come up with stories that seem plausable.

     First of all, I personally heard Norma share that she was raped at the orphanage and according to her her rapist told her, “Go ahead and tell Tony. He already knows anyway.” Norma shares she ran away from the orphanage, rather than be subjected to another rape.

     Secondly, Edna and Norma were together on another occasion and, together shared Norma’s “testimony” of how she was raped, was told by the rapist that Tony knew about it and so Norma decided to run away from the orphanage. (Ruby’s blog is consistent with this story) Edna shared how she and Tony searched and searched and searched all of Ensenada but could not find her. Edna said she didn’t know why Norma ran away, but they searched for a long time without success. Now that you see what Edna’s letter says, you can know for certain Edna lied. She was telling Norma and I one thing, but writing a letter to a board member’s wife and telling a different story.

     Drew Belk, Mark Stratton and others must have heard countless stories like this and are well aware of Tony and Edna’s deceitful character. Yet they continue to support them and say, “It’s up to the Mexican courts.” Drew, Drew, Drew….and Mark, Mark, Mark…..we don’t need a Mexican court to discern or rule on the evidence that has been presented. Edna lied in her declaration in this case saying abuse and molestations haven’t occurred at the orphanage. Her own words convict her, Drew.

     Where are all the former orphans that love Tony and Edna? Who have you and Mark spoken to that lived there at the time these abuses are told to have occurred? We want their number so the victims can call them.

     Tony and Edna’s supporters are all being caught in lies. Maria, Norma, Jose Luis, Mark Stratton, Alicia La Farga, Joshua Hernandez, etc. have all been caught in lies, now that we have a filter of accountability. We see what they have written recently and a long time ago and we are able to be certain of the pattern of deceit. We see the pattern continue, over and over and over.

     Drew staretd tryign to work this situation out “biblically” with Steve S. Then he moved on to Fred H. Then he moved on to an Hispanic pastor from Indio of his choosing. Then he worked with Ted Vail from the Four Square church. Now he’s attempting to to move on to another “biblical” process with yet another pastor. My daughter did that when she was 4 years old. If she didn’t get her way with me, she would try to get what she wanted from my wife. Soon, she discovered we were one and that it was pointless to ask the other parent if one says no.

     Drew, no one agrees with your position, aside from Mark Stratton and a few other minions. I don;t know what version of the bible you’re reading, but no version I have ever read encourages a Christian, a follower of Christ, a child of God, a believer to ignore the plight of the orphan and give money to the pedophile, child abuser. You poison the word “biblical” by encouraging others to follow the bible and not passionately support the orphan. Thank God we have the written Word, inspired by God, to demonstrate to these victims that there is a big difference between God and man. When a man tries to confuse you, the Word and the Spirit will reveal their deceit. The Word does not support the position of those who abuse children, try to cover up abuse, lie under oath and mislead others who seek the truth.

131. O.F.G
     June 6th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

     In the past…I have been very ashamed as to what happened to me. So I would only put my initials as O.F.G. I always have wanted this injustice to come to light. I have worried so much of what will be said of me. I have kids who are old enough to understand all this. What will be said to them of me? I have been teaching them about pedophiles all their young life. You see, I was never taught! It was the opposite. I was told it was part of growing up.

     I know that I am not at fault, but knowing even that, it has not taken away the shame I carry. The embarrassment… The humiliation… Now I am so angry at myself. Part of the reason why the Hernandez family is still there is ME. I have been very selfish with myself image and my pain. In the process, I neglected the children that remained. Sure I couldn’t do anything at the beginning, I was too young. Eventually, I “became” old enough to do something about it. So I returned in 1998, after I failed, I told myself “I TRIED…” But now look…10 years later…!!! How many more children got hurt? And now; how many more children need to get hurt?

     It is our (the ex orphans) responsibility to step forward and speak for those who cannot speak. If you want to help the children who remain, please support the Miracle Ranch Organization. Some of us need counseling, emotional support, and the satisfaction that the Americans again are the once who are coming to our aid. We (the Mexican children) already know that we cannot depend on our own country to stand up for us. So we must rely on the hand that has fed, clothes, and sheltered us.

     So please…don’t make the mistake of leaving the unspoken behind. I have done that before, and we now see the horrible consequences.

132. Mick Parisi
     June 7th, 2008 at 12:22 am

     O.F.G. my heart cries for you and all of the other orphan children who suffer to this very day because of the acts of evil that was done to you by evil men. Please don’t blame yourself, or in any way feel responsible that this evil still takes place. You are one of the HEROES who has courageously come forward to bring all of this injustice to light. The men who allow this to continue are COWARDS. They call themselves Christians, but by their fruit they are known! They slither on their bellies as they hide in the darkness of all their lies. O.F.G. you are of the LIGHT and guess who is afraid of YOU now! The people who did their evil deeds against all of you are now trembling at your very words now. Because with your words comes the power of TRUTH! O.F.G. none of them can ever hurt you again…you have the power over them now…you are the VICTOR now! You and the others have nothing to be ashamed of ever again. You are the heroes who can claim victory now as you trample under foot the cowardly snakes who live in the darkness. God is with you O.F.G. God is with all of you brave ones who have come forward to bring this injustice to light. It is God who gives you this victory now and He will not fail you. Hold your head up high O.F.G. for it is Jesus who is the lifter of your head!
     If God is for you…then none of these spineless cowards can ever do anything against you ever again!

133. susie
     June 7th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

     Thank you Rudy for your input of what you witnessed while you were there. I remember you from when our church visited down there, and we were impressed with your dedication to the kids. But then I remember a year later when we visited, you were gone. You explained alot! I will continue to pray for Jazmin & Eulalia, I totally remember them too! May God bless and PROTECT the children that are currently living on the property with Tony & Edna

134. Minerva Cervantes
     June 8th, 2008 at 11:20 pm

     congratulations to channel 10 I-news team. On the report aired tonight it alledges that the people starting this problem agaist Edna and Antonio want to take over rancho el milagro’s land, I can tell you that is not the case. Right in front of rancho el milagro and right next to it to the left side, there are lands being sold on pennies on the dollar, nobody wants those lands so anyone with a reasonable offer can get them without having to go trough all this fuss. The rancho SNTE has also been selling several acres that go across the hill all the way across to the sea, just about 1/2 a mile from rancho el milagro, they started selling about 10 years ago, and nobody wants it. Land in El tigre is available and dirt cheap. The excuse that this is over land, is ludicrous.

135. O.F.G
     June 8th, 2008 at 11:56 pm

     Thank you. Menerva C.

     Neill and Steve are only trying to help us. They were brave to go on television and speak on our behalf.

136. Abigail Boche - Translation from June 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
     June 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm

     ¡Hello!

     Isela, I am Abigail Boche, I do not know if you remember me. I only remember a little about you. I remember more about Norma, Beto and Coka. Evita is my mom, that’s what she was called at the ranch. Lucio Hernández is my stepfather; well, I hope you can remember me a little.

     Isela, I’m very sorry for the terror that had you to live with at the ranch. I also suffered many ugly things. I saw many horrible things as you did, and all this hurts me very much. I would like to avoid the memories and not to speak about the topic, but I try to be strong because I want to help the children who now suffer in the ranch.

     I want to tell you that I agree with you; the testimony Maria the cook is completely false. She saw o lot of the abuse. Antonio ordered her to shave my head after Antonio brutally beat me. Maria saw me beaten, so (instead) she cut my hair as man. She did not shave me, perhaps because she saw how injured I was and I wouldn’t stop crying. And does Maria say that she never witness any abuse?

     Also Antonio and José would strike us in the dining room while we were eating. Maria was there when Antonio broke his cup of hot coffee on Johnny’s head (Johnny had mental retardation). Maria was in charge of not feeding the children who would bed-wet themselves, after being struck by José or Antonio. They would be sent to wash their blankets and clothes and then were left without eating.

     Also for the children who were hungry and were asking for another plate of meal, Maria would look at the black list that was placed in the wall of the kitchen. Maria would not feed them, she would leave them with hungry and these were orders from Antonio. Maria was fulfilling his orders, they are so many ugly things that she saw and participated in. Maria is an accomplice to o lot of the abuse and much more. Maria lied completely in her testimony supporting Antonio and his family.

     It fills me with sadness and of rage that they have raped so many children. All the damage that they have caused us, there is no justice! Antonio, Edna and other Hernández are a few disgusting parasites that have prospered stealing gifts from us, selling them; and stealing our meals so they can sell it. Stealing from the Americans saying that the money is for the children; but the money was never for us.

     With the money that the Americans have donated, Antonio and his family have filled themselves with wealth. That’s why it is difficult for the Hernández and Edna to go to jail because they have the paid off the authorities. But I laugh at them. Antonio, when you die, all of the money and all your properties that you have stolen, including my mother’s house, will remain here in the ground. How will you pay the devil off so that you and your family are allowed to get out of hell? God is just and we will have justice.

137. Tina Carmona
     June 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

     I to like many others visited MRO and went on vacations with Tony and Edna Hernandez. Im deeply sadend by whats been going on and all the hurting victims whom still have yet to see justice served. I do not wish bad on Tony but would hope that he would come clean soon. We don’t know that the abuse has stopped. All the innocent children at MRO need to be kept safe.

138. Camron Carmona
     June 9th, 2008 at 11:37 pm

     This is a very serious and complex story. My heart truly goes out to all the victims! I would like thank 10 news for airing the story and bringing it to the attention of the public. I hope that this is more than just a story about ratings but that it would be seen through to the end, TO JUSTICE!
     I to have visited MRO over the years and yes its true at the end of the day my family and I go home. For all the good hearted American people who go down there from time to time don’t live there and don’t know what happens when everyone is gone. I believe the evidence tells the real story. The evidence of peoples broken, fractured and scared lives. How could you denie the testimony of so many? How could you ignore such a cosistent woven thread of lies, deciet and abuse? I believe we’ve only seen the begining of the victims coming forward, we’ve only scratched the tip of the iceberg. Sad to say but Im sure its true. From my own experience I’ve seen abuse in my own family. Lets use the common sense approach for a minute; if I like to drink I drink alot, if I like to smoke I smoke alot, If I like to swear I swear alot, if I have a sexual addiction and like to abuse kids I abuse kids alot! Im sure you get my point. These sick behaviors don’t just go away and you can’t just wish them away ethier. It takes devine deliverance from a repentive heart and frankly I see no such thing. What we have here is a WOLF guarding the chicken coupe. The sooner a change is made the sooner we’ll have healthy, protected, loved children at MRO.
     I’d like to thank Steve, Niel, Scooter, the wives these courageous men and many others who have made a stand for truth and justice, practicing religion in its truest form, defending orphans, fathers to the fatherless!
     Im sure upon further investigation the Hernadez family has a deep and tracable history of abuse going back generations, but thats no excuse for whats happening now. Sad to say the sins of the fathers are past down to the sons but there is one who can break generational curses, our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ! May you find HIM NOW!
     For those who read The Book we know the end of the story, GOOD defeats evil! amen.

139. Cindy Martinez
     June 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am

     As i read the many letters and listen to the victims stories all i can do is sit here and weap and cry out to the Lord for justice to be done. My heart breaks for all the children that are still in the care of these horrible people and for those that have gone before and survived these unthinkable actions. Our family has visited Miracle Ranch many times and supported the ministry in the past. And it makes me sick to think of what we were really supporting.
     We are praying and asking for Justice to come quickly for the sake of the children that still live at Miracle Ranch.
     How can we allow for this to continue? Tony and Edna should have been removed and prosecuted as soon as the FIRST story was told!
     For those of you that still support Tony and Edna and refuse to believe the 37+ victims…How do you sleep at night?
     Do you have children?
     What if your child told you that someone had hurt them, abused them?
     Would you wait until it happened 37+ times before you would believe them?
     Its our responsibility to care for the orphans James 1:27.
     Please do what is right and just, because the Word of God says in Exodus 22:22-24
     “Do not take advantage of a widow or an ORPHAN. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”
     Those of you that still believe (or fear) Tony and Edna and continue to support them, you will one day stand before the LORD and have to answer for your actions, just as Tony and Edna will have to answer for their actions and…
     YOU WILL BE JUST AS GUILTY AS THEY ARE!!

140. Witness
     June 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

     First of all, I didn’t mean this to be a response to O.F.G.’s post on June 1. That was my mistake, so I’m posting it again.

     I’ve been following this blog for the past couple of weeks. At first I was outraged, but then just deeply saddened. There truly is an injustice being done here. I would like to address this post to all of the people that have been at Miracle Ranch to volunteer in the past–those who are mourning for these children. It isn’t necessary to respond to me. Just consider what I have to say.

     There are people at Miracle Ranch right now who Steve and Neill do not know about. American and Mexican young people you have come voluntarily to care for the kids for varying periods of time. They are the ones who get them up in the morning, who help them get ready for school, who look after their chores, who help bathe them, and who pray with them at their bedsides. They are with those kids almost every moment that they are at Miracle Ranch.

     I realize that I am opening myself up to attack by posting this comment, but I cannot keep silent any longer. I am a witness to the fact that THERE IS NO ABUSE TAKING PLACE AT MIRACLE RANCH RIGHT NOW.

     I can’t speak for what may or may not have happened so many years ago. But I can swear to you and anyone who will choose to listen to me that every single child is safe, healthy, and happy.

     It breaks my heart every time I read a post from somebody who has been to Miracle Ranch in the past and feels that they have been deliberately deceived. After hearing the accusations, I’m sure I also would wonder what happened to the kids after my week-long mission trip. But as somebody who has stayed behind after the group leaves, I can tell you that nothing changes. The kids are always sad to see you go, but they are treated just as well as when you were there.

     The last thing I want to do is engage myself in a war of words over the internet, and so this will be my first and last post on this blog. I also do not wish my name to be disrespected or mocked, as has been the case with all others who have defended Rancho El Milagro, so I will remain anonymous.

     Please consider what I have told you. You may not know the whole story from where you sit.

     GLADYS MELENDEZ reply on June 12, 2008:

     “WITNESS” Al defender a la FAMILIA HERNANDEZ es obio que eres como ellos una complise mas.si te metites a escribir a defenderlos por que escondes tu nombre solo los cobardes ses conden y no dan la cara.a nosotros no debes tener nos miedo tenle miedo a la FAMILIA HERNANDEZ.quitate la benda de los ojos y mira las BESTIAS queson eres una descarada sin berguensa DEFENSORA DE VIOLADORES DE NINOS. una persona que este bien de su cavesa en sus cinco sentidos despues de leer todos los testimonis de cada uno de las personas que estubimos en el RANCHO EL MILAGRO.y que toda bia piense como tu ”WITNESS”NO TIENES PERDON DE DIOS.por BESTIAS como tu y los HERNANDEZ con esa mentalida miles de ninos sufren abusos fisico,mental,emocional y violaciones.me imajino que no tienes hijos.dices que ahi gente americanos y gente mexicana joven que les ayudan a los ninos.pues esos jovenes son los mismos ninos del Orfanato siempre a sido hasi las mimas ninas nos peinaban nos banaban no sotros nos alistabamos para la escuela y nosotros asiamos los trabajos pesado.sin la ayuda de americanos ellos nuca se dieron cuenta se los trabajos pesados que asi amos por que ellos sola mente bajaban del campamento hasta como a la una o dos de la tarde.ellos nunca se dieron cuenta de los abusos por que solamente y ban en las vacaciones.pero cuando ballas antes de irte bei mira en el corral de los cerdos aver si ahi ninos o en el cuarto de ropa o en la bodega.los americanos que su puesta mente ”Oran” con los ninos al lado de sus camas noson DALTON WEBBER Y JAHN SWINK. pero ellos te cuentan lo que quieren que tu sepas nuca teban a desir la verdad por que son cobardes.meimajino que te sientes bien (ORGULLOSA) de LA FAMILIA HERNANDEZ al defenderlos.y de aqui donde estoy sentada esobio que no sabes la verdad.con sidera mis palabras.

141. Abigail Boche
     June 11th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

     creeme testiga falsa yo vivi lo que los ninos en el rancho estan viviendo ahora nada a cambiado pues yo he ablado con mis amigas en el rancho en persona y de sus bocas me dijeron que todabia Jose hernandez va al racho el milagro y se lleva la troka llena de comida CLARO YA QUE SE VAN LOS AMERICANOS y todavia se meten al dormitorio de las ninas y muchachas en la noche a manosearlas y Jose aveses se queda a dormir en la noche EN EL RANCHO NO ME DIJAS QUE NO AS VISTO A JOSE? EN EL RANCHO por favor no puedes estar tan siega los ninos lloran cuando los americanos se van por que se sienten desprotejidos. CUANDO LOS AMERICANOS ESTAN EN EL RANCHO NO LOS GOLPEAN A LA VISTA DE ELLOS TE VOY A DESIR DONDE LOS GOLPEAN Y DONDE LOS ESCONDEN DESPUES DE SER GOLPEADOS PARA QUE GENTE COMO TU PIENSE QUE TODO ESTA BIEN, PON ATENCCION TESTIGA FALSA, LOS ENCIERRAN EL LA BODEJA PARA GOLPEARLOS O EN EL SHOP O EN LA CAPILLA SI EN LA IGLESIA ASI COMO LO DIGO ESTOS SON SOLO UNOS DELOS LUGARES QUE ANTONIO USA PARA GOLPEAR A LOS NINOS DESPUES LOS ESCONDE EN SU CASA SIN PERMISO DE SALIR ENSERRADOS EN UNA ESQUINA SIN MOVER Y CON LAS MANOS ARRIBA QUE BUENO QUE NO PUSISTE TU NOMBRE PUES NO AS PUESTO ATENCCION A LOS NINOS. Y SI TE VOY A ATAKAR CON PALABRAS PUES DE AQUI SENTADA TE PUEDO DESIR MUCHAS VERDADES PERO ESTOY MUY CANSADA. TESTIGA FALSA ME DAS OLOR A EDNA NO SERAS SU HERMANA?

     Abigail Boche - Translation from June 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm reply on June 12, 2008:

     Abigail Boche
     June 11th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

     Believe me False Witness, I lived what the children in the ranch are living now. Nothing has changed. I have spoken with my friends in the ranch in person, and from their mouths they have said to me that José Hernández still goes to the Miracle Ranch. He takes the truck full of food. SURE, SINCE THE AMERICANS HAVE ALREADY LEFT.

     They still go inside the girls and teenagers’ dormitory at night to moleste them. José sometimes spends the night to sleeping at the ranch. Don’t tell me that you have not seen José AT THE RANCH? PLEASE, YOU CANNOT BE SO BLIND!

     The children cry when the Americans go away because they feel unprotected. When the Americans are at the ranch, they don’t strike them in view of them. I am going to tell you where they strike them and where they hide them after being struck; so that people as yourself think that everything is well.

     Pay attention False Witness! They lock them up in the warehouse to strike them, or in the shop, or in the chapel; yes in the church! Just as I say it! These are only some of the places that Antonio uses to beat the children. Later he hides them in his house without permission of going out, shut up in a corner without moving, and with their hands it up.

     So good of you not to put your name since you have not put attention to the children. I am going to attack you with words! Well, from right here were I am sitting I can TELL you a lot of truths but am very tired.

     False Witness, you give me the smell of Edna. Are you not her sister?

142. Isela
     June 12th, 2008 at 2:56 am

     Respuesta al comentario del Testigo Oculto (Witness)

     Testigo Oculto, este no es un caso en el que se puede andar o esconder de bajo las ramas. Este es un caso serio que se debe tomar con mucho respeto. Quisiera responderte, a la misma altura y con respeto. Quiero decirte que tu punto de vista, no me sorprende, todo lo que nos paso a nosotros no fue gritándoselo a los siete vientos.

     También nosotros nos poníamos tristes cuando los grupos de voluntarios se iban, y nos prometían venir el próximo verano. Y muchos cumplían sus promesas. Y la prueba es que tenemos amigos ahora en día; son los que nos conocieron desde pequeños, y nos hemos reencontrado. Y ese mismo afecto sin ningún tipo de interés sigue viviente en nuestros corazones. Y esos amigos son los que realmente creen en nosotros. Esta es una amistad limpia, y sincera.

     Para que alguien entienda la palabra manipulación, tienes que haber vivido, no es lo mismo que te lo digan, a lo que has vivido en carne propia. También tienes razón cuando dices que los voluntarios son los que atienden a los niños, los que proveen a los niños, los que disciplinan a los niños. Pero ponte a pensar un poco, si hasta los padres de una criatura encuentran el tiempo para maltratar y abusar a sus hijos, imagínate unos desconocidos. Tal vez con el tiempo han cambiado la estrategia de abuso, pero yo también te aseguro que el abuso sigue. Yo lo viví, yo lo sentí, yo aún lo recuerdo tan claro como si hubiera sido ayer.

     No tengo el gusto de conocerte, pero espero que Dios te haiga puesto en el camino de esos pequeños para que tú puedas hacer la diferencia. Los tiempos han cambiado, y la mentalidad del hombre se ha civilizado. Yo no digo las cosas con rencor. Pero si con un gran dolor. Porque esta gente fue alguna vez parte de mi familia y mi vida, esto no se puede borrar nada mas asi porque si. Yo he tratado de guardar buenos recuerdos en mi corazón, pero yo no puedo cegarme a la realidad. Y mis hermanos tampoco mienten. Yo también te lo puedo asegurar.

     Todos estos años, callando un secreto que tal vez a nadie le importase. Pero hay vidas nuevas y yo estoy dispuesta a pelear para que esta historia pare. Mi voz es muy pequeña pero es mi verdad. Si una sola persona me cree, para mí eso ya es ganancia.

     Que Dios te ilumine Testigo Oculto. O tal vez te ocultes porque no puedes sostener tu punto de vista. Cuando alguien respalda algún punto de vista es porque tiene bases suficientes para demostrar lo contrario y sabe de lo que está hablando. Demuéstrame y compruébame que lo que dices es cierto, y tal vez podríamos empezar a dialogar como gente civilizada. O tal vez no te sientes capaz de enfrentar la realidad. Claro, como La Familia Hernández que hasta este momento siguen en el anonimato.

     ¿ ¿ ¿Porque Antonio no se atreve a desmentirnos públicamente??? PORQUE NO TIENE CARA CON QUE SALIR A LA LUZ PUBLICA. Su reputación ya está por los suelos.

     Qué pena me da…

     Isela - TRANSLATION reply on June 12, 2008:

     Isela
     June 12th, 2008 at 2:56 am

     A response to the comments of the Witness

     Secret Witness, this is not a case in which one can walk or hide under the branches. This is a serious case that must be taken with o lot of respect. I would like to answer you, to the same height and with respect. I want to tell you that your point of view doesn’t surprise me; what was done to us was not by shouting it to seven winds.

     We too would get sad when the groups of volunteers would leave, and they would promise their return the next summer. And many fulfilled their promises. And the test is that we have friends today; they are those whom we met when we were children, and we have met again. And that same affection without any type of interest is still living in our hearts. And these friends are those who really believe in us. This is a clean and sincere friendship.

     For someone to understand the word manipulation you have to have lived it. It is not the same as when someone tells it to you; you have to have lived it in your own skin. You’re right when you say that the volunteers are those who attend to the children, provide for the children, and discipline the children. But start thinking a little, if the parent of a creature finds the time to ill-treat and abuse their own child, imagine a stranger. Perhaps with the time they have changed the strategy of abuse, but I assure you that the abuse continues. I lived through it, I felt it, I still remember it so clearly as if I had been yesterday.

     I don’t have the pleasure of meeting you, but I hope that God has placed in the path those little ones so that you can make a difference. The times have changed, and the mentality of man has become civilized. I do not say these things with rancor, but with a great pain. Because these people were once a part of my family and my life, this cannot be erase just because. I have tried to keep good memories in my heart, but I cannot blind myself to the reality. My brothers are not lying either. I can also assure you of that.

     All these years I kept a secret silent, which perhaps nobody cares about. But there are new lives and I am ready to fight so that this history can stops. My voice is very small but it is my truth. And if only one person believes me, for me this is already an achievement.

     Let God illuminate you, Secret Witness. Or perhaps you hide because you cannot support your point of view. When someone endorses some point of view it is because it has sufficient bases to demonstrate the opposite and knows about what he is speaking. Demonstrate me and verify me that what you say is true, and perhaps we might start talking as the civilized people. Or perhaps you do not feel capable of facing the reality. Of course, (you are just) as the Hernández Family, that up to this moment they continue to be anonymous.

     Why is it that Antonio does not try to prove us liars publicly??? BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT TO FACE THE PUBLIC OPINION. His reputation is already on the ground.

     What a shame…

143. Ofelia (AKA
     June 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am

     It is amazing how easily Tony and the Hernandez family can ‘buy’ the local politician, so called Christians and even local media. A great example is the following;

     This is in response to the Witness posted on (reply) June 11, 2008 and on June 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pm.

     Hello Witness, too cowardly to come out and represent yourself.
     If Tony and his family are so innocent, why then do they not come public and prove us wrong? Why do they not go on camera except to say “the Lord will provide”? Why was Tony so active with us when we were orphans but now that we are adults, he can’t look us in the eye?

     Why are you hiding your identity? You want to know why I was hiding mine. Let me inform you WHY. You see, I have not only been a true “WITNESS” to their crimes, I have been a VICTIM. I am AWARE of how dangerous they can be. I am aware of how readily Tony and Edna are to call their financial supporters for money to pay off the true “WITNESSES”. Even if it means to lie to them and say that one of them has had a medical emergency such as a ‘heart problem’.

     Tell me, did you know that Norma, a paid staff, prior orphan, raped and molested by Miguel, called Karla Laura Lamas a reporter from El Vigía newspaper, located in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. She invited the reported to go to the orphanage and see for herself how good it was.

     Did you know that Lamas’ newspaper report was totally based on the report done by Ms. Kerstin Lindquist, the KGTV-10 News Anchor/Reporter. You see, Lamas and I have exchanged a couple e-mails and also have spoken on the phone and radio a couple times, I have even spoken w/her supervisor (whose name was not provided). After she received and responded to my first e-mail, I called her and Lamas told me she needed more information, that she really didn’t understand the story because she only knew what Channel 10 News had reported and what the Channel 10 News Blog had.

     Bellow you will find the translation (I e-mail her in Spanish) of my first e-mail to her:

     > Sent: on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 13:19

     > Subject: Orfanatorio Rancho El Milagro

     > I too, am a victim of this orphanage. I can tell to you that since I left this orphanage, I have not had any communication with other persons who suffered just as I did. I thought that I, with another 3 girls (I am the 3rd girl), were the only victims. And still, my history is similar to the others. I have been very enraged for many years, but now, since the report came out, I was able to sleep a whole entire night. I imagine that it was because I find peace in the publicity. In the blog of Channel 10 News here in San Diego, someone wrote that the accusations by the victims were realized to seize legalization in this country, but it is not true, I am a (born) U.S. American Citizen, only raised in Mexico. From a few weeks of my birth to 10 years old, I lived in this orphanage. So I know the abuse existed and possibly it still exists

     > O.F.G.

     ***End of e-mail***

     This was her response (translated, hers was also in Spanish)

     > Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 (time unknown)

     > Subject: Orfanatorio Rancho El Milagro

     > Hello

     > I would like to have contact with the persons who were victims of the Miracle Ranch, because a group of ex-recruits and recruits have been coming to the newspaper to ask to clean the name of the directors Antonio Hernández Favela and his wife Edna.
     They brought photographs and a series of documents in which, supposedly, the persons who denounced in the channel 33 10 News, of San Diego, express their affection for Edna and Antonio.
     I hope be able to speak with you, it would be my pleasure, since I have seen that many have (already) spoken to the (television) channel of the United States but have not communicated here.

     > Thank You

     > We are here to serve you.

     ***End of e-mail***

     Then, in my attempt to give her our side of the story, I made a trip to Baja California. Once there, she said that she couldn’t meet me in Rosarito because she was only allowed to travel to La Misión. So I went to La Misión. Once there, I radioed her to let her know that I was there, but she said I needed to speak with her supervisor.

     So I radioed him, from the get-go he was very rude. Already taking sides, he said that if I wanted my side of the story heard, I needed to come to them. I explained to him my circumstances with my children, I already had been on the road for about 2 hours and she only had to drive a few minutes. Again he repeated the same, then added that this trips needed ‘more’ planning.

     Now Witness, what does that say about the Hernandez’ influence? Not only that. What happened to the reporter getting the story? This reporter is waiting for the story to come to her, and she even grabs it when is passing by… And where are these so-called recruits that are siding with the Hernandez. Is it another girl whom Tony bought a house or property for, is it someone being paid to stay quiet, or are the Vigía supervisors being paid to make the story sound good?

     Tell me Witness, how much do you REALLY know? Could it have been another ex-recruit who has received money to keep quiet about a sexual encounter at a hotel in Rosarito? Who of all the victims can possibly be siding with the Hernandez?

     Remember, Neil and his family lived at the orphanage, and they too failed to ‘see’. You may not even need to write in this blog, you may need to contact them and learn from them the horrible truth. Or better yet, you may even want to meet with “US” THE TRUE WITNESS and the Hernandez face to face to get to the bottom of this.

     Now, El Vigía has lost its credibility with me, so I no longer have followed up with them. But since you are such an ‘involved’ witness, tell me, did the reporter go there or did Norma and all the other witness go to her?

     Tell me Witness, is the Ms. Lamas waiting for the story to pass by so she can just grab it? Was Tony present or was he AGAIN not in SIGHT and instead, sent Edna to clean up his mess?

     Please, with an issue as sensitive as this one, don’t speak without knowing ALL THE FACTS! Your opinion is okay, we all have them. But you are implying to have facts, but yet cannot prove them…
     If you don’t respond and show your face, WE, the WITNESS will understand…

144. Ofelia F.G.
     June 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am

     (AKA Bombón and O.F.G.)

     I am the girl in the picture with the red skirt, long socks and the funny looking sweater. I am a WITNESS…but sadly, I am also a VICTIM.

     Please don’t diminish my humiliation and pain. I already had a ‘pastor’ make the comment that I am living in the past and need to move forward.

     Do you have a child? Imagine your child going through what I went through! Yes, I know it’s difficult, but do it, so you can meet me half way in my humiliation and pain.

     I know that many were blind sided by the exposure of this story, even I was blinded. I thought it was only a few of us. So when you make a comment, do it SMARTLY and with o lot of respect for us the victims…

     Thank you for those that have opened your eyes and seen the truth.

145. Also a witness - Bethany (Betania) Vaughan
     June 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

     This is in response to the blog entitled “Witness”. I too, am a witness of life at Miracle Ranch. I lived at Miracle Ranch for a year and a half, and did not see the type of abuse described by the former children now coming forward. I absolutely loved being with the children and hold them so dear in my heart. I cherish the time I had with them and was so blessed to be able to love and care for them. I miss them so much and long to be with them.

     However, while living there I did see many things that I did not understand, while I excused many other things that seemed odd. I thought that this just must be the way things are done in Mexico. That is what I was told by them and many others. I trusted that Tony and Edna knew how to care for children in Mexico after being there for 30 years and recognized that I was a newcomer to the country and orphanage ministry. I supported them in their role as directors and did what I could to help them and the ministry.

     Over time, I did feel that there was something terribly wrong there but was very careful and slow to make any judgments. It also became clear that the way Tony and Edna ran the orphanage was keeping it from developing and flourishing. They worked hard to stop any progress. It felt like there was a net covering the ministry and it could not grow, expand, improve or even really benefit from the blessings that so many Christians wanted to bestow on them. Tony and Edna only allowed things to creep forward when they were under duress, when too many people were watching and they would be discovered. They did not welcome our help but tried to shut us out as much as possible. They tried to discourage us, to make us feel defeated. Tony refused to spend any time with us. He was rarely there, and when he was, he was “busy”. Edna spent most of her time in her dimly lit house, or “occupied” with a child or situation when she did appear outside once or twice a day. If you think Tony is being taken away from his true love, ministering to the children, and forced to spend countless hours a day with a lawyer because of this situation, I’d like to inform you that he was never there when we lived there either. He left around 7 AM and came home in the dark around 11 PM. It was often explained to us that he was meeting with his lawyer then too. I wonder what mess he was dealing with back then; Not anything that he informed any of us on the American Board about. I wonder why?… humm…

     Now I have learned so much background information about Miracle Ranch and Tony & Edna as well. I have thousands of pages of documents that cover a thirty year history. In addition to board meeting minutes I have newsletters, photographs, letters from many people and letters personally written by Tony and/or Edna’s hand. These letters reveal so much, but the people who knew about this information left long ago so the truth got lost for awhile. I have determined now that so much of what Tony and Edna told me were lies. Bold-faced lies. I cannot trust anything they said. As this story becomes more known, additional information is coming out; more people are coming forward and sharing their experiences.

     There is new information about current children and children who were living at Miracle Ranch while we were there; Children that we knew and love. We had no idea that this was going on. No idea at all. I am sure that Tony and Edna are a thousand times more careful now that there is an investigation going on. So I believe that you have not seen the abuse. I do not think that means it is not going on. One of the children currently living there gave a testimony to the police and then she testified that Edna yelled at her. Edna called her a liar. I don’t think she lied. I think she bravely told the truth and then got in trouble for it. I feel certain that the children know what Tony and Edna expect them to say when they are asked. I am sure they know the dire consequences of telling the truth. They are only children. They are living at Miracle Ranch. What can they do?

     And Norma, the current staff member who was a former orphan and was a victim of rape… well she has been employed by Tony and Edna for many years now. She has a cute home and has many benefits for being there and for supporting Tony and Edna. She and her family are physically greatly benefited by her working there. If she were to tell the truth, her life would drastically change, for the worse. Not only would they loose all the physical benefits, but they would probably be threatened. Plus, she would have to face something she really wants to run away from, her rape as a child. She would rather go on and trying to put the past behind, trying to forget it. She wants to believe that Edna cares for her, like the mother she longs for, and she wants to believe that Edna did not know how she suffered rape as a child under their watch. Edna, who is now probably pouring out the love and care that she deeply longs for (to keep her happy and satisfied), was not very loving and caring as she wrote about Norma at the time she ran away after being raped. She talked about how loose Norma was and that they were planning on just bringing her to DIF (the mexican social services) and dropping off the problem child. This is in a hand written letter we have. If you’ve seen Edna’s writing, it is very recognizable. There is no mistaking it. And Edna doesn’t sound like the loving person we all wanted to believe she was. I am positive that Norma and her family are being treated much better right now as they actively support Tony and Edna. Norma seeks healing for her pain and love to heal the deep hurt. She will never really heal until she begins to face the truth and talk about it.

     You are not the first person who thought they knew the children so well and would know if there was abuse going on. We have heard that from others who worked at the Orphanage when these, now adults, lived there. But they have found out that they were wrong. They did not know the kids as well as they thought. The kids were warned and threatened not to tell. I am sure it is the same now.

     If you truly love the kids at the orphanage and you want to be of help to them, you should stop and listen to the Holy Spirit. Stop and listen in quietness. The truth is very different that you think. Ask for the truth to be revealed. Pray for wisdom beyond your own capabilities. Pray for your eyes to be opened to see and ears sharpened to hear the truth.

     We prayed a lot when we lived there. We grew so much in our faith. We were hurt, frustrated, alone, even reprimanded. We thought of leaving on different occasions. God told us clearly to stay. We were called to Miracle Ranch for a different reason than we thought. We had wanted to serve there and love the children while helping the orphanage to improve to bless the lives of the children on a new level. We wanted it to be a fantastic place for them to grow up, enjoying lots of opportunities and creating many happy memories. We had no idea what God really planned to happen while we were there or how he would use us as his hands, feet and voice. There has been a well kept secret, something ugly and terrifying hidden in the darkness, that God used us to help bring out into the light.

     I think you are probably trying to do the right thing, but you are deceived. And if you begin to see the truth and question Tony and Edna, you will be threatened and asked to leave, probably in a not so kind way. And it won’t be the first, second, third or fourth time that kind of thing has happened. Some have received death threats and others, threats of false arrest. Be careful and be wise. Most of all, be open to learn the truth. God may have plans that are different than what you thought also.

     I’m praying for you right now. I hope you will receive what I have said and truly be open to hearing and seeing. I envy your ability to be with the children right now, whom I love so much. I wish I could be with them too. In your own way, please pass on my love and prayers for them, as I cannot.

146. Genny
     June 12th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

     I lived at Miracle Ranch orphanage as an American volunteer in the early months of 1996. I was 21 years old.
     When I was up late on night, last year, thinking of the months I spent at the orphanage I searched the internet for a website…and I found the one for the MRO foundation. I was appaulled. I spent the night crying and the next day on the phone with Steve, the president of the Miracle Ranch Orphanage Foundation. I was determined to find out that he was lying- that none of this was true. I called some of the people from the BCF and got their side of the story. I did research on the board members of MROF, I even called the lawyer they were using to find out that he was even really retained for the purpose of getting justice for the orphans. I asked Steve questions over and over again looking for inconsistencies. I was disapointed at every turn. Steve was telling the truth.
     The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. I have fond memories of the children I met at Miracle Ranch. I have fond memories of baking cookies with Edna and the girls.

     You can live there for months, and not know this has happened, or is happening.

     And what do we do now? How do we support the victums? I am not sure of the answer, but I believe it is the most important question.

147. voleunteer
     June 14th, 2008 at 12:18 am

     I was a volunteer at mro so I get to know some of the involved accusers. First of all Neil every comment supporting Tony you answer with such bitternes and anger in your heart why? because they throw you and your family from the ranch when they discover your real intentions???? let go your personal bitternes.
     As Esmeralda’s pregnacy is concerned SHE RAN AWAY WITH ONE OF HER SOCCER TEAM STAFF OR REFEREE she got pregnant, the guy responded and they are together.
     And did Jorge told you that he had a sexual relationship when he was part of the staff before this past time and she was a minor I really don’t think so. So before believing every one of the accusers search their past and learn how they use to live before they decided to tell these horrible things. What ameizes me if how you and steve wrote all the situatuations so everyone that read ot believed it with no investigation at all on the other part and satan takes part with you distroing ministries that took so effort to built, but there is a God and after all is cleared we will see. I can understand people from USA is so emotional and with such a patriotisim that believe everything you Steve and all of the accusers said. Which I believe it is gone out of proportionts because they are now using a lenguge that is very agresive and on the other hand they said GOD… and calling people beasts, check on them to. Are they really christians?????

     I’m expecting a not very nice answer!!! I’m prepared for the agresiveiness of all of you

148. Neill Vaughan
     June 14th, 2008 at 9:30 am

     Why don’t you use your name? Why do you wish to remain in the dark, hiding from those that have been victimized? Your testimony is meaningless unless you are willing to come out of the dark and make it in public.

     Use your name. Those who are representing the truth are in the light and have nothing to hide. I am enraged because a pedophile is running an orphanage. I have listened to their stories, seen the evidence, including a report from Victoria Gonzalez that resulted in Jose Hernandez being kicked out of the orphanage for an attempted rape. We have testimony and evidence from former staff, Hernandez family members, former board members, former orphans, etc. etc. Oh, also, Tony was arrested in a Rosarito motel with a 12 year old girl.

     Don’t be a coward, but rather leave your name so we know where you fit into this situation. The many people that have put the 40 year history together will be able to place you into the story. Are you related to a Hernandez? Are you on Tony’s payroll?

     Your blog is typical of a supporter of the Hernandez family. You offer no evidence, attack and make false accusations against those who have a right to speak out publicly about how they were abused. Let’s say for example, that your false allegation about Jorge is true. That means one of the minors were molested, right? What did the Director do about it? Is there a case filed against Jorge for molesting a minor? If Jorge molested someone, which he didn’t, the just thing to do would be to file a case on behalf of the victim. So…your false accusation, if true, would strengthen the case against Tony. See how the lies by you and the other minions have backed yourselves into a corner? It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The time we have all been waiting for, praying for, hoping for is finally here. The onion has been peeled and the layers of corruption and deceit have been pulled back.

     With regards to the past of the accusers, you so foolishly take the “pedophile centric” perspective that attempts to expose some past wrong doing of a victim of abuse. People who are raped when they’re 6 years old have problems later in life. 8, 9, 10 and 11 year olds who wet their bed because they are beaten and are beaten because they wet their beds, will have problems later in life. That’s expected. But the problems that occur serve as further evidence that abuse took place. The signs of abuse aren’t hidden. What is so remarkable in this story, is how amazingly well the heros are doing in their lives, despite the abuse. They have fought with valor, courage, taken risks and demonstrated heroic behavior. Oh, and they speak publicly and those that were asked took polygraph tests. So even you, voleunteer, can’t reach the high standard of accountability and level of integrity set by the victims, because you are hiding like a sissy. This is not a time to hide, little boy, but rather to come out and stand publicly. After all, there is a criminal investigation in process, where public testimony is being received.

     The Hernandez family is excellent at spreading rumors that have no basis in fact. The “deceiver” is called the deceiver for being excellent at deceiving. Tony and Edna have taken deceit to the highest, most professional level we have ever experienced. But the devil can’t operate in the light, because the light shines and illuminates the darkness, exposing the lies, deceit, fraud, abuse, etc.

     Okay, you accussed me, Steve, Jorge and a few others. You need to keep going though, because we’re up to about 40 victims now. You better start coming up with some new material. I am nothing in this matter. Talking about me simply distracts from those who have been publically accused in the criminal case.

     So, why don’t you reveal your name and we can make arrangements to meet with you. We’d really like to arrange that, so give us your contact information.

     Those who hurt children cause a healthy and righteous anger. There is no bitterness, because that is caused by a lack of sweetness. The taking down of evil is sweet, a wonderful work of God.

     My prsonal feelings are irrelevant. I will, however, remain vigilant at efforts to protect children from abuse and will continue the fight long after Tony is incarcerated.

     Oh, and stop drawing a distinction between Americans and Mexicans. The spirit of those who tell the truth, seek the turth, reveal the truth and walk in the light is united. Our team is made of people who have that spirit.

149. Abigail Boche
     June 14th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

     ESTOY SEGURA QUE LA TESTIGA FALSA Y LA VOLUNTARIA Y LA PERSONA QUE DIO SU COMENTARIO ATAKANDO ALA FAM CAMBEROS DISIENDO QUE SON BORRACHOS Y DROGADICTOS ES LA MISMA PERSONA AUNQUE TE CAMBIES DE IDENTIDAD. SE QUIEN ERES, SI TUS PALABRAS SON MUY FAMILIARES Y SI USO LA PALABRA BESTIA ES POR QUE NO PUEDO ENCONTRAR OTRO NOMBRE MAS HORRIBLE PARA USTEDES. NO LES SIRVIO DE NADA USAR AMI HERMANITA RUTH HERNANDEZ PARA QUE ME DIJA QUE NO HABLE EN SU CONTRA DE USTEDES ELLA ME DIJO LO QUE MIS TIOS HISIERON YA PASO MI TIO ANTONIO LLA ES MUY BIEJO TODO LO MALO QUE TE HISO YA PASO DISE RUTH PERDONALO NO DIJAS NADA SI TE PREGUNTAN LOS AMERICANOS QUE SI FUITES MALTRATADA. POR QUE NO QUIERO VER A MI TIOS EN LA CARCEL Y RUTH ME DIJO SI TU DISES ALGO ENCONTRA DE MIS TIOS NUNCA TE VOY A VOLVER A ABLAR YO LE DIJE RUTH TU HERES MI HERMANITA Y YO TE QUIERO MUCHO PERO TU SABES QUE ME HISIERON MUCHO DANO Y A HOTROS NINOS. NO TE METAS EN ESTO SI YO ALGUN DIA DIJO ALGO DE MI BOCA SALDRA LA VERDAD. Y PLATICAMOS Y EDNA ESTUBO INBOLUCRADA EN ESTO PUES RUTH ME COLGO Y LE LLAMO A EDNA PARA DARLE MI E-MAIL Y MI FAX NUM, PARA QUE EDNA ME ENBIARA UNA SUPUESTA CARTA QUE STEVE LE MANDO CLARO TODO ERA MENTIRA DE EDNA STEVE NO LE ABIA MADADO NADA. CUADO RUTH SE ENTERO DE QUE ABLE ENCONTRA DE SU TIO ESTABA FURISA ME LLAMO A MI CELL YO ESTABA TRABAJANDO ME EMPESO AGRITAR Y DESIR DE COSAS LUEGO LES DIGO EL RESTO DE LA COMBERSASION PARA QUE ENTIENDAN. SE QUE ALGUN DIA TENGO QUE PERDONAR PERO NO ES FACIL Y RUTH ME PIDE AYUDA PARA LOS HERNANDEZ JAMAS PODRIA IR ENCONTRA DE LOS NINOS QUE FURON MIS HERMANOS NI APOYAR A UN VIOLADOR A UNA PERSONA QUE GOLPEA ALOS NINIOS Y AMENASA Y MANIPULA Y COMO SINADA SE LAVAN LAS MANOS COMO PILATO NO TIENEN REMORDIMIENTO. QUIRO MUCHO AMI HERMANA RUTH PUES YO ALA EDAD DE 5 ANOS LA CUIDABA LE CAMBIE EL PANAL LE HISE SU VIBERON Y ME QUEDABA TODO EL DIA SOLA CUIDANDOLA EN EL RANCHO Y YO LA QUIERO MUCHO PERO ME PIDIO ALGO IMPOSIBLE. A CASO JOSE HERNANDEZ TUBO PIEDAD DE VIOLAR A LAS NINAS O DE METERSE AL CUARTO DE LAS NINAS Y MANOSEARNOS TOCANDONOS NUESTRAS PARTES PRIBADAS NOS ATERRORISABA A CASO NO SINTIO PIEDAD DE DESTRUIR LA VIDA DE UNA NINA PEQUENA SIN SUS PADRES INDEFENSA. O ACASO ANTONIO TUVO PIEDAD DE VENDER LOS NINOS PARA SER VIOLADOS O DE GOLPEARLOS O DE VIOLAR A NINAS Y MANOSEARLAS A CASO TUVO PIEDAD DE NOSOTROS? NO SE TOCO EL CORAZON PARA MANIPULARNOS, AMENASARNOS Y BURLARSE DE LOS NINOS DISIENDONOS COSAS FEAS Y DESPUES NOS GOLPEABA, COSAS COMO TU MAMA NO TE QUIERE, TU MAMA ES UNA LOCA Y MI HERMANO LUCIO HERNANDEZ NO TE QUIERE NI A TU MAMA POR ESO TE ABONDONO EN EL RANCHO. Y DESPUES ME GOLPEABA Y ASI HISO A TANTOS NINOS BURLANDOSE DE ELLOS JAJA TU PAPA ES UN BORRACHO POR ESO TE ABONDONO DESPUES DE BURLARSE DE LOS NINOS LOS GOLPEABA. AN TENIDO QUE PASAR TANTOS ANOS PARA QUE LA VERDAD RESPLANDESCA PERO TE DIGO YA NO PUEDES TAPAR EL SOL CON UN DEDO NI ESCONDERTE DE TRAS DE LA PALABRA DE DIOS TU DIOS ES EL MISMO DIABLO MI DIOS ES EL REY DE REYES Y SENOR DE SENORES JEHOVA EL CREADOR DE TODO EL UNIVERSO. MI DIOS ES BUENO PUES ME MANTINE DE PIE ME DIO LA VIDA DESPUES QUE SALI DEL RANCHO ME QUISE MATAR TERMINE EN EL HOSPITAL A PUNTO DE MORIR CUANDO LA VIDA SE MEIBA LE ROGE A DIOS QUE ME DEJARA VIVIR Y POR LA MISERICORDIA DE DIOS ESTOY AQUI VIVA DE PIE NADA ES FACIL PARA MI E SUFRIDO MUCHO PERO NI TU NI TU DIOS EL DIABLO ME AN PODIDO DESTRUIR. AQUI ME VES DE PIE FIRME. SE QUE TE QUIEBRAS LA CABEZA TRATANDO DE DESMENTIR TANTAS VERDADES TODO TU JUEGO SE ACABO YA NO TE ESFUERZES USTEDES SI ESTAN DERROTADOS. A HORA ME TOCA SONRREIR Y DAR GRASIAS A DIOS, LOS NINOS QUE HORITA ESTAN EN EL RANCHO ESTAN EN LAS MANOS DE DIOS SI SE ATREBEN A HASERLES DANO TENDRAN QUE PAGAR UN ALTO PRECIO POR SUS ACCIONES.

     Abigail Boche - Translation reply on June 14, 2008:

     I am sure that the False Witness, the Volunteer, and the person who made the comments attacking the Camberos Family saying that they are drunks and drug addicts is the same person, even though they are changing identities. I know who you are! Yes, your words are very familiar and I use the word BEAST because I can’t find another name more horrible for all of you!

     It did not serve you any purpose to use my little sister Ruth Hernández to tell me not to speak against you. She told me that what my uncles did already past. My uncle Antonio is already very old; everything bad that he did to you already past, says Ruth, forgive him, don’t say anything if the Americans ask you if you were ill-treated. Because I don’t want my uncles to go to jail and Ruth said; if you say anything against my uncles, I will never talk to you.

     I told Ruth, “you are my Little sister and I love you o lot, but you know that they caused me and other children o lot of harm. Don’t get involved in this, if one day I say anything, from my mouth, the truth will come out. We talked and Edna was involved, since Ruth hung up on me and called Edna to give her my e-mail and fax number so Edna could send me a so-call letter that Steve sent to her. Of course, it was all a lie from Edna. Steve hadn’t sent her any letter.

     When Ruth found out that I had spoken against her uncles, she was furious. She called me on my cell, I was working and she started to yell and saying o lot of thing. I’ll tell you later the rest of the conversation so that you can understand.

     I know that I must forgive, but it’s not easy. Ruth asked me to help the Hernandez. I will never be able to go against the children who were my brothers (and sisters). Nor support a pedophile or a person who beats children then manipulates them. Then wash their hands like Pilates and have no remorse.

     I love my sister Ruth, it we I who at the age of 5 years old, took care of her, I changed her diaper, made her a bottle and stayed with her all day alone taking care of her at the ranch. I love her o lot but she asked me for something impossible.

     Did José Hernández have piety of the gilds he raped or of going to the girls rooms to molest us?; touching our private parts and terrorizing us without piety of destroying our lives without our parents and in defensive? Or did Antonio have any piety on the children that he raped and beat? Or of the girls that were raped and molested? Did he have any piety of us.

     He did not touch his heart to manipulate us, threaten us or make fun of us, telling us ugly things then beating us. Things like; ‘your mom doesn’t love you’, and ‘your mother is crazy and my brother Lucio Hernández doesn’t love you or your mother, that’s why she abandoned you here in this ranch’. Then afterward, he would beat me and that’s what he did to many children. Making fun of them, laughing (saying) ‘your dad is a drunk, that’s why he abandoned you’ and after making fun of the children he would beat them.

     All this years had to pass for the truth to glisten. But let me tell you (Hernandez Family), you cannot cover the sun with a finger. Nor hide behind the Word of your god. Your god is the devil, my God id the King of kings, and my Lord of lords is Jehovah, the creator of the all the universe. My God is good, it keeps me on my feet and gave me life. After I left the ranch, I tried to kill myself and ended up in the hospital. At the point of dying, when my life was slipping away, I begged God to let me live. Through the mercy of God, I am alive, on my feet. Nothing is easy for me, I have suffered o lot; not even your god the devil, has been able to destroy me.

     Here you see me firm on my feet. I know you are breaking your head trying to undo so many lies. All you games have ended. Don’t strengthen yourself, you have been defeated. Now it’s my time to smile and to give thanks to God. The children now at the ranch are in God’s hand. If you dare to harm them you will pay a great price for you actions.

150. volunteer
     June 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

     Are you satisfied of spiting all the venom???? Please Neil I trust in God and I know this will come to an end sooner or later. As you believe in all the acusers I believe in what The Hernandez have told me and shown me, they also have a lot of evidence and when all this comes to an end we’ll see who can be ending in jail. There is a saying in Spanish that says the fish by its mouth dies, that’s why we’re not playing your words game, just this time bacause it is really frustrating to read all the garbage you are sending to all the readers. So in other words we have the right to believe in whom we want, I don’t have to believe you I choose to believe in whom I want and there is no punishment for that and IF your accusations where true, then I’ll know then what to do, but if it’s the other way around are you willing to recognise it???????
     So are you suggesting Jorge could have sex with a girl under age while being s staff and because there is no report is OK? I can believe your justifications.
     And please first check who that Antonio Hernandez cought in a motel with a 12 year old gilr really is have you heard of people with the same name and last name, here and everywhere??????????????????? It so easy just by seeing a photo of that Antonio Hernandez, right???? Because this AH was never in jail by rape accusations and believe that that here in Mexico is not as easy as paying a fine, it’s more than that so If he was that AH he would still in jail so I think there you just made a HUGE mistake in make in it like a statement not a possibility
     And regardings about my name you will know it in it’s time. I’m not a sissy, very good language for such a strong Christian right?

151. Neill Vaughan
     June 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

     Well, well, well. If it isn’t Ruth Hernandez. How about that? Hi Ruth, I have been wanting to speak with you for a long time.

     Let’s see. You’re Lucio’s daughter, right? and your mother is Lulu, right?…..ohhh wait…..Lulu isn’t your mother, she’s about 10 years older than you, right? She was an orphan at Rancho el Milagro who was molested by……Lucio, your father.

     I have been wanting to ask you why you are so angry with your sister for telling the truth? Remember she told you about this a long time ago? You know the truth, Ruth. You know the truth. You don’t need a judge to tell you the truth. Does your dad know how to blog? Maybe he can share about how he molested a child when he worked at the orphanage. But you knew that already. Ruth, you actually know to be a fact some of the allegations that are being made, but you are unwilling to admit it or support your own sister’s right to speak out against the abuse done to her by your family members.

     Come on out of the dark cave, Ruth. You cannot live a healthy life, denying, denying, denying what you know to be true. You are a very, very sick person, but that’s understandable, knowing your family background. We are so happy and joyous that your sister has the courage to speak out against the abuse. But you…..you’re a slave to the abusers. What a pity. A slave, stuck in denial and holding on so tight to what you know is false. It’s slipping away, Ruth.

     Regarding your suggestion that another antonio Hernandez-Favela was arrested with the 12 year old. What a coincidence that the wife of this “other” Antonio was identified in the report. Sorry, Ruth, this is not a case of mistaken identity. The “other” Antonio was bailed out by his wife……..Edna.

     Now that we know your identity, please answer this question.

     Did your father molest LuLu?……and don’t use the Hernandez definition of the word “molest.” (They always blame the child when they finally admit a molestation took place.)

     Supporting pedophiles over and above their victims is something you are free to do, but you can’t be feeling at peace over that decision, Ruth. Ruth Hernandez, the daughter of Lucio, Tony and Jose’s brother. Wow.

     Regarding Jorge and the false allegation made against him. Let me take a wild guess at who told you that Jorge molested one of the children at the orphange. Here we go…….was it Edna? Tony? be honest, Ruth. You heard that lie from one of the accussed criminals and yet you believe it over what your truthful sister says? The world you live in revolves around the Hernandez family, but that’s a very small and dirty world. And that world is now being watched by the world, thanks to the benefits and tools of modern technology.

     You are powerless to stop the momentum that has built up resulting from the truth being revealed about the abuse. Your fight is not against me, your sister or the other victims. Your fight is against the truth and you are no match for it! get out of the way, Ruth, because the truth train is coming and it has a full head of steam.

152. Edna Hernandez
     June 14th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

     Edna Hernandez
     May 27th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

     excerpt from Edna’s letter dated February 1, 1997 to John Downs, an MRO Foundation board member.

     Background on the letter: Lucio is Tony’s brother and when he worked at the orphange he molested a 15 year old orphan, beginning in 1991 and continuing for years, eventually leading to Lucio leaving his wife to move in with the same girl. The molestation took place onsite at the orphange and it was brought to the attention of Tony and Edna on numerous occasions, but they refused to take any corrective action. After years of turning a blind eye and allowing the molestation to continue without interruption, Tony and Edna eventually are forced to admit the affair. Although they admit the affair and take responsibility for letting it go on, Edna offers many excuses and secretly tries to attack the people that brought the allegation to light. As the pattern goes, heroic persons of faith, remain in obedience to almighty God and endure the hardship of knowing that molestation is going on, but the directors take no action! Eventually, the people of the light leave, after receiving a threatening letter, handed to them by Tony.

     In a letter to John Downs on February 1, 1997, Edna writes:

     “I will never be sure of the entire reason why Antonio did not just face Lucio and tell him to leave, or why he never faced Jose before. I have always felt that Jose held something over Antonio. Antonio was in complete denial about this situation (Lucio) and especially in denial about Jose. He would never admit Jose’s faults.”

     If all three Hernandez brothers were molesting girls, what could Tony possibly say?

153. volunteer
     June 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

     Poor guy let me see there isn’t another name in your mind I’M NOT RUTH I can assure that but if you want to believe it it’s ok with me. Can you be more sarcastic???? what a shame a man your age expressing that way to a woman you thought was Ruth, your actions are of those that know you’re about to loose ad don’t know what to do. you’re a very weak man a weak man that leads others to deceptios. A man that thinks it’s a leader and you are short of being one

     FOR THOSE THAT BELIEVES THIS GUY PLEASE NOTE THE WAY HE REACHES TO A WOMAN MAKING FUNNY OF HER MOM. AND YOUR SARCASM INCLUDES YOUR DEFENDANTS ABIGAIL AND GLADYS BECAUSE IT’S THE SAME MOTHER

     BYE BYE BROTHER

154. Neill Vaughan
     June 14th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

     Why are you talking about me? What has this got to do with me?

     40 vicitms of abuse, former staff, former teachers and others are waiting for a trial to testify about the abuse that happened and the attempts of the acused to cover up the abuse.

     When the Hernandez family is the center of your world, you consider the truth to be an attack on their character? The truth is the truth and nothing you can say will change what has happened. It’s in the record books. I asked you a question about Lucio and a minor named LuLu. Answer the question.

     From an earlier blog, we reveal the patterns used over the last 30+ years, used by Tony, Edna and other Hernandez familiy members. You are repeating the pattern as it has been repeated over and over and over and over:

     7.Attack – Whoever levels an accusation against Tony or Edna or is perceived as a threat to their role in the ministry is typically the target of unsubstantiated allegations. this technique has been used frequently to take the focus off of them as the accused party is forced to defend themselves.

     8.Insert an Advocate – The Hernandez family seem to have an endless supply of advocates who take on the responsibility of leading the charge against to accuse those who question Tony & Edna. Using the 3rd party allows Tony and Edna to buy time and take the focus off of themselves as the focus moves to attacking the person who had been critical of Tony and Edna. Tony and Edna save energy, by allowing another to fight their battle for them. Typically the 3rd party has no real experience dealing with Tony and Edna and has spent very little direct time working with them. But, for some reason, they feel they know Tony and Edna so well and are willing to serve as an offensive weapon on their behalf. The charges that Tony and Edna level are not checked for accuracy, but rather believed to be fact.

     Your family would be proud of you for carrying on the traditions.

     The traditions of trying to work in secret, attacking the innocent victims of abuse and advocating on behalf of the other cowards who sneak and plan in the dark.

     Here are some questions we got answers to. Oh, I’m sure you wouldn’t like to know the answers, though.

     Jorge lived at the orphanage from age 5 to age 19. During his time at the orphanage he says he was molested by John Swink, an American volunteer who would come down from time to time to “help” the children. He says John would ask Tony Hernandez, the Director of the orphanage, if certain boys could spend the night in his RV, which he parked on the orphanage property. Although he did not like the way he or other children were treated at the orphanage, he returned recently to work there saying he felt God calling him to come and help the children. He says he wanted them to know they are loved. Within a few days of returning to the orphanage to work there, he noticed that way the kids are treated had’t changed much from when he lived there as a boy. He doesn’t allege severe physical or sexual abuse, but describes a controlling, stifling environment where children are described as robots. The orphanage culture is oppressive and results in children conforming to a strict schedule, rather than blossoming and developing to their full potential. Staff are asked to simply follow the existing traditions and schedule without questions. Innovation and new ideas are not welcome by the Directors, despite obvious opportunities for improvement.

     Jorge says his sisters Lupita and Ana Marie expressed disapproval when they learned that he had retuned to work at Miracle Ranch Orphanage. Shortly after Jorge retuned to work there, both Lupita and Ana Marie confided in him that they were each molested by Antonio (Tony) Hernandez when they were children there. Jorge says he had never known of the abuse to his sisters and never would have gone to work there had he known. Jorge says Tony asked Jorge to drive him to a meeting in La Misión with Gabriel Diego, the director of a neighboring orphanage. He says Tony and Gabriel met for 2 hours. On the ride back to ranch, Tony allegedly said that Neill wouldn’t leave the orphanage and that he (Tony) would get rid of him (Neill) even if he had to call the police. On another occasion, Tony told Jorge that if the board tried to get him to transfer the land title out of his (Tony’s) name, he would form a new board.

     Jorge says his wife had difficulty working in the orphanage culture as well and her ideas to improve things were rejected. She was told, “This is the way we have always done it”. On one occasion, Josh Hernandez, the son of Tony and Edna Hernandez, refused to let Jorge have 6 eggs to use for a dinner he and his wife were hosting in their trailer for Omar (Youth) and Elena (Staff). Joshua would not give them 6 eggs nor would he allow them to go collect the eggs from the chicken coop. Within 45 days of starting to work there, Jorge knew it was not working out and he and his wife would have to leave.

     A few days after Tony’s meeting with Gabriel Diego, Neill and his family were forced to leave the orphanage at midnight, under the threat of immigration coming to arrest and/or deport them back to the USA. Tony claimed to have received a call from Diego, who learned of a report of slander that had been filed with immigration that Neill had made against Tony. Due to Neill slandering Tony, immigration was coming to arrest Neill.

     Jorge says he knew that Tony had made a plan to get rid of Neill and that’s why Neill was gone. Somehow, when Jorge was in Tony’s kitchen, he noticed Steve Schinhofen’s telephone number on a sheet of paper that Tony had. Since Tony was out of the room, Jorge saw and memorized Steve’s telephone number. He planned to call Steve to let him know about Tony’s meeting with Gabriel Diego and his comments about calling the police on Neill if he had to. Also, Jorge wanted to share what he learned about his sisters’ experiences at the orphanage. He wanted to tell Steve the kids were not being treated in a loving, caring way under the direction of Tony and Edna.

     Jorge called Steve and arrangements were made to meet Steve and 2 other board members in Southern California, so Jorge and his sister could share about past and recent events.

     Questions for Jorge

     In July of this year, you returned to work at Miracle Ranch Orphanage.

     1. Did you know that Tony had molested your sisters when you returned to work there?

     2. Did they tell you what had happened to them after you started working there?

     3. Were you molested by John Swink in his camper on the orphanage property?

     4. Did you witness John Swink molest another boy in the camper?

     5. Did John Swink molest you on one other occasion?

     6. Did Steve, Neill, or anyone else ask you to lie about things Tony Hernandez has done?

     7. Did you ask your sisters to lie and say that Tony molested them?

     8. Are you making false allegations against Tony Hernandez in an effort get money?

     9. Are you making false allegations against Tony because you are angry with him?

     10. Were you recently fired from Miracle Ranch Orphanage?

     11. Did you voluntarily quit your position as bus driver at Miracle Ranch?

     12. During a face to face meeting with Edna, did you tell her why you were quitting your job?

     13. Did you tell her that Tony had sex with Ana Marie while Ana Marie was living at Miracle Ranch?

     14. Did Edna call you a liar?

     15. Did Edna tell you she didn’t believe you?

     16. Did she ask you to repeat what you told her to Tony?

     17. In a face to face meeting with Tony, did you tell him that he had sex with your sister Ana Marie?

     18. After telling Tony, to his face, that he had sex with your sister, did Tony ask you to remain on staff and help make things better at the orphanage?

     19. After telling Tony, to his face, that he had sex with your sister, did Tony ask you to go into town and pick up the kids from school?

     20. Did you go into town and pick up the kids from school after telling Tony, to his face, that he had sex with your sister?

     21. When you returned from picking up the kids, did one of the younger children tell you to go into Edna’s house for a meeting?

     22. When you went into Edna’s house, were Edna, Joshua, Jose Luis and Norma gathered there?

     23. Was Tony there to face you and deny your accusations about him and Ana Marie?

     24. Did Edna tell you that Tony was in the bedroom crying?

     25. Was it unusual for Jose Luis to be there at that time of day?

     26. Do you think he was called there for the meeting with the others and you?

     27. Did Joshua say he didn’t think his dad had sex with your sister?

     28. Did you tell Joshua, to his face that, yes, in fact, Tony did have sex with your sister?

     29. Did Joshua continue, over and over, to say he didn’t believe his dad had sex with your sister?

     30. Did Joshua remain silent and stop saying he didn’t believe you?

     31. Did Joshua call you a liar?

     32. Did Joshua accuse you of being on drugs?

     33. Did Joshua accuse you of trying to get money from Tony?

     34. Did Jose Luis, Norma or Edna call you a liar?

     35. Did Jose Luis, Norma or Edna say they didn’t believe you?

     36. Did Edna accuse you of being on drugs?

     37. Did Norma ask why you are bringing up something that happened in the past?

     38. Did Norma suggest that what happened in the past should be left in the past and not brought out?

     39. Did you tell Jose Luis, Norma and Edna that you were molested by John Swink on the orphanage property?

     40. Did they express grief and sadness and show compassion that you were molested?

     41. Did they say you were lying about having been molested?

     42. Were you lying about being molested by John Swink?

     43. Did Jose Luis tell you he believed what you were saying, and that he felt you were speaking from your heart?

     44. Were you under the influence of illegal drugs during the meeting with Edna, Norma, Jose Luis & Joshua?

     45. Were you using drugs while you worked at Miracle Ranch this summer?

     46. This summer, did Edna or Tony catch you using drugs at Miracle Ranch?

     47. This summer, did Tony or Edna ever approach you and express concern that you were using drugs while working at the ranch?

     48. This summer, did any staff member catch you using drugs at Miracle Ranch?

     49. Did Jose Luis give you and your wife a ride home after you left the meeting?

     50. Did Lucio Lee, Tony’s son, come by your mother’s house a few days after you left and say he was looking for you?

     51. Did your mother tell you Lucio wanted to take you out for a bite to eat?

     52. Was it normal for Lucio to come by your mother’s house?

     53. In the last 5 years, has Lucio Lee ever come to visit you at your mother’s house?

     54. We’re going to switch gears here and go back to things that happened before you left.

     55. Did Tony tell you that he would start a new board, if the foundation board requested that he transfer the title out of his name?

     56. Did Tony tell you he was going to get rid of Neill, even if he had to call the police?

     57. Are you and other former children, at Miracle Ranch telling lies about what happened to you while you were at the orphanage?

     58. Are you speaking out so that Tony and the Hernandez family are not allowed to hurt other children?

     Questions for Lupita

     1. Did Tony Hernandez frequently come into the Miracle Ranch girls dormitory at nighttime?

     2. Did Jose Hernandez frequently come into the girls’ dormitory at nighttime?

     3. Did Tony come into the girls dorm and try to kiss some of the girls?

     4. Did Tony kiss you on the lips while you were in bed at night?

     5. Did Tony touch private parts on your body while you were in bed?

     6. Did Jose touch private parts on your body while you were in bed?

     7. Did another girl tell you that Tony kisses girls at night, while they are in their beds?

     8. While girls were in bed, did Tony often lift the girls’ blankets up to check if the girls were wearing pajamas?

     9. While girls were in bed, did Jose often lift the girls’ blankets up to check if the girls were wearing pajamas?

     10. Did you see Tony kiss your sister on the mouth?

     11. Did you see Tony hand your sister money before he kissed her?

     12. When you saw Tony kiss Ana Marie on the lips, were they in the little kids room?

     13. Was there only one door leading in and out of the little kids room?

     14. Were the little children sleeping while Tony was kissing your sister?

     15. Were there any other staff in the room at the time Tony kissed your sister?

     16. Did your sister tell you to leave after Tony left the room?

     17. Do you believe Tony left the room to turn off the generator?

     18. Do you believe Tony returned to Ana Marie after he tuned off the generator?

     19. Are you lying about what Tony and Jose did to you?

     20. Jorge went to work at Miracle Ranch in late July of this year. Did Jorge know, at that time, that Tony and Jose had touched your private parts?

     21. After Jorge went to work at Miracle Ranch this summer, did you then tell him what had happened to you?

     22. Did Jorge encourage you to tell the truth about what happened to you at Miracle Ranch?

     23. Did Jorge tell you to lie about Tony and Jose and things that happened to you at Miracle Ranch?

     24. Did anyone tell you to lie about things that happened to you at Miracle Ranch?

     25. Are you speaking out about what happened to you to get money?

     26. Are you speaking out about what happened to you so that other children are protected from being harmed by members of the Hernandez family?

155. Neill Vaughan
     June 14th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

     Definition:

     Fool
     Pronunciation: \?fül\
     Function: noun

     1: a person lacking in judgment or prudence
     2. A harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding

156. Ofelia
     June 14th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

     Volunteer, it is very brave of you to speak for the Hernandez’, but why do they not speak for themselves. How is he going to prove me wrong? Let me tell you something, I also want this to come to an end… for my own sanity. So if you want, please have the Baja Children’s Foundation, you and I get together. They have my number as well as my e-mail. I am no family and have no ties to the Hernandez’ except my time in the orphanage. All I want is justice, in what ever form it may come, but true justice.

     I am not sure how long you have been there, but don’t speak for me. I know what I went through, you only know what the Hernandez’ have told you, but I am willing to talk to you without Neill present.

     I have blogged in anger, in impulse, in sadness, and in frustration, but always, at every turn with the truth. At this point, I am very calm and collected. So please arrange this meeting. Since you write well in English, I assume you are American, so the meeting must take place in San Diego County.

     P.S. As much as I want both Tony and Edna, Edna alone will do…

157. Bethany (Betania) Vaughan
     June 14th, 2008 at 11:40 pm

     This is in response to “volunteer”.

     This is not about Neill or the Vaughan family or Steve. This is not about the property. This is about many, many people coming forward who say that they were abused while they lived as children at Miracle Ranch Orphanage; abused by Tony and Edna Hernandez and many members of Tony’s family. It is about how the accused pedophiles and accomplices continue to run the orphanage, refusing to be accountable to anyone and refusing to step aside while the investigation is going on. It is standard, good practice, and very responsible, for someone accused of this type of horrific crime, to step aside during the investigation, whether they are guilty or not. Tony and Edna were asked to step aside but refused cooperation in any form whatsoever.

     There is a serious criminal case going on. It began in late 2006 and continues until today. Tony and Edna are handling this in the same way they have handled other situations that have come up over the years. And your type of email is very familiar reading. There are letters like yours in the Miracle Ranch documentation over the past 30 years. The standard method is to attack the individuals who are the “whistle blowers”. It is not easy to stand up to those attacks, and they have been effective in getting some others to eventually give up.

     It is so interesting to me that those who rise to Tony and Edna’s defense will not reveal their name. Even in the past years, when there have been other problems that Tony and Edna were asked to be accountable for, letters similar to yours have been delivered, written anonymously and usually containing serious threats. In one instance, Tony actually admits this (we have the documentation) when a DEATH THREAT was made to some brave Christians who were trying to protect one of the orphanage children from sexual abuse. Guess who wrote the death threat – one of Tony’s brothers. Guess who delivered the letter with the death threat – Tony. We’ve got the letter and his admission. This is how Tony and Edna have acted and continue to act. This is how they have managed to get past some pretty serious problems in the past. They are trying to do the same things now.

     It doesn’t make any difference to me what your name is. However, it does make what you and other anonymous people write, less credible as there is no accountability. You can say anything and no one can really know who you are. It really makes what you say very weak.

     Isn’t this where all this trouble really began, with a lack of accountability? Tony and Edna have refused to be accountable to anyone. Tony and Edna do what they want and if you question anything, they cut you off. If you pursue it further, they attack you with false accusations. This is no way to run an organization that cares for children.

     Once and for all, there are no “ulterior” motives:
     We are involved in this because we care about orphans. We care about former orphans and current ones. We understand that orphans have no voice; they have no one to stand up for them; to fight for them. God has called us to stand with them and we will not stop until He tells us we are finished.

     There are no “ulterior” motives:
     If we wanted to run an orphanage, there are a thousand easier and quicker ways to do that than to accuse the directors of an orphanage of horrific crimes, hire a top notch Mexican/American legal team, and submit ourselves to personal attacks. This is a ridiculous way to obtain an orphanage to run. It would be absurd to put our family and future at risk by creating a false accusation (which is a criminal offence) against someone in a foreign country that we want to continue to do ministry in. I can hardly believe anyone would believe a ludicrous idea like that.

     There are no “ulterior” motives:
     If we wanted property in Mexico, we would buy some. We have the means to do that. It would be absurd to put ourselves through a several year legal process when that goal could be so easily met. There is nothing special or unique about the Miracle Ranch property.

     I can tell you that the people who paid for the orphanage property, intended for it to be held in the name of a non-profit corporation so that it would be protected to always be an orphanage. As is written in the record, these people never liked the idea of the property being held in an individual’s name and through deception, Tony accomplished that very thing. It was never meant to be a gift to Tony. Now he openly claims the property as his and when asked, has refused to take steps to insure that it would be protected by a non-profit corporation. Currently, the property is willed to Joshua and Lucio Hernandez upon Tony and Edna’s death. (We have a copy of Tony’s will.)

     Also of interest to those who want to know who Tony Hernandez really is, one witness on Tony’s will is none other than Gabriel Diego Garcia (Gabe or Diego) of Puerta de Fe (Door of Faith) Orphanage in La Mission. Gabe was found to have forced orphans from his orphanage to lie about being molested to put an innocent American in a Mexican jail for 7 years. This, all because that innocent American was requiring Gabe to be accountable for the hundreds of thousands of dollars the American was raising for the orphanage. During his 7 years in jail, the kids grew up and they told the judge the truth about what happened. The American was freed and an investigation was opened against Gabriel Diego. Gabe went into hiding. We learned recently, from a witness, that Tony Hernandez allowed Gabe to be in the Youth House in town during that time of hiding. Dateline did a 30-minute piece on this story and you can see part of it at http://www.miracle-ranch.org .

     This is the same Gabriel Diego Garcia that Tony met with when he decided to try to have my husband and I arrested on false charges to make us leave the orphanage. A witness to Tony saying, “If Neill won’t leave, I’m going to call the police,” at the end of a two hour meeting with Gabriel Diego, has testified to this and passed a lie detector test.

     There are no “ulterior” motives:
     It is true that we are very sad that we were forced to leave Miracle Ranch under threat. It was a real blow to our idea of what we thought we were doing. We had thought we would be serving there for a long time. It was sudden and it was a shock. I still wake up crying out for the children we left there without being able to say good-bye to or to explain our departure to.

     However, I can assure you, we are not bitter about it. Right now, both Neill and I are working in ministries that we enjoy immensely and the work is extremely fulfilling to us. We are very happy with where we are. These ministries have nothing to do with Miracle Ra