Tucson.com Exposes Branham Torture Commune - The Park - Branham "Tape Boys"

A news report from tucson.com covers the traumatic experiences of individuals who grew up in a religious commune tied to The Message, the group founded by William Branham.

Read the article here: 
https://tucson.com/life-entertainment/nation-world/faith-values/children-sexually-abused-in-arizona-religious-commune/article_95309414-6487-11ef-8370-7b727001a9fb.html

Watch the report here:
https://tucson.com/news/local/arizona-cult-that-brutalized-children-exposed-60-years-later/video_be7e3c26-0144-5229-b855-381c53091ce6.html

Lynne Daulton, one of the survivors, recounts severe abuse at the hands of Leo Mercier, a close associate of Branham, who created a compound under strict and abusive religious rules. Children were subjected to physical punishments, including being whipped and locked in cellars, and in some cases, they endured sexual abuse. Daulton details the fear and isolation she felt, noting that dissent or reporting abuse led to harsher punishments. Despite these atrocities, no criminal charges were filed against those involved. Although The Message leaders now acknowledge the abuses, they distance Branham’s teachings from these acts, stressing that Branham would have disapproved. Survivors like Daulton continue to seek healing and advocate for preventing similar abuses in religious communities.

The compound started as a trailer park community started by Leo Mercier, a member of Branham's inner circle. Voice of God Recordings proudly refers to Mercier as one of Branham's "tape boys." Until recently, VOG sold relics and memorabilia, which appeared to praise Mercier, though they knew he had committed crimes against humanity. At the time of the press release concerning Mercier, most "tape boy" products have been removed from their online store.

Deborah Daulton-Thibodeau was also raised in the Message compound, which was deeply shaped by its restrictive environment. Her father, Edward "Ed" Dalton, was active in the movement. Deborah describes her childhood as one filled with fear and unease, constantly hiding to avoid Mercier, who was seen as an enforcer of the compound's strict moral code. In one especially disturbing incident, she was pressured to confess to fabricated sins under Mercier's harsh command. Subjected to explicit, invasive questions, she repeatedly denied the accusations, which led to her being cast out of a significant spiritual rite. This shunning left Deborah feeling isolated and alienated, a painful memory that underscores the trauma many children faced within the commune.