Church camp leader accused of choking teen

BROOKSVILLE-Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Church camp leader accused in choking

A church camp leader faces misdemeanor battery charges in the choking a 15-year-old boy he thought was disrupting his prayer group, authorities say.

Gerald Clarkin Jr., 38, was holding devotions with children in his group at the Church of God of Prophecy camp about 10:40 p.m. Saturday, according to the arrest report. Several children then began playing a prank on the group, sliding stink bombs under the door of Clarkin's room.

Clarkin pushed the door open and grabbed the boy in a headlock, the report said. The boy fell to the floor after becoming light-headed. Clarkin immediately let go of the teen and called for the camp director, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

The boy was taken to Brooksville Regional Hospital, where emergency staff told deputies that he was stable and would be released. The teen's mother later told deputies that she wanted to press battery charges against Clarkin.

Clarkin was arrested early Sunday morning and taken to the Hernando County Jail. He was released after posting bail of $500 later that morning.