Group Homes Ordered Closed After Charges That Disabled Residents Were Punished For Refusing To Attend Religious Services

The Los Angeles Times reports that last Friday a California trial court judge appointed a receiver to begin relocating dozens of physically and mentally disabled residents from two unlicensed religiously-operated group homes. Husband and wife, Kang Won Lee and Jung Hwan Lee, operate the two Los Angeles facilities, Agape Mission House and Agape Home Church. Los Angeles authorities say living conditions in the homes were deplorable.  They also say that residents were forced to attend religious services twice a day, regardless of their religious beliefs.  If they refused, they were punished by being required to stand by a tree for up to 4 hours, translate Bible verses for a full day and sleep outside at night.