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Written by: A. Smith
Published July 31, 2025 @ 10:03 AM ET
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. – A Clayton County church is facing multiple fire code violations after firefighters discovered a dozen teenagers in DFCS custody living in its basement this week.
Emergency crews responded to Now Faith Apostolic Church in the 3000 block of Rex Road on Tuesday night for a medical call. When they arrived, they found several teens living in makeshift bedrooms throughout the basement, prompting immediate concern about the building’s safety.
“The scene raised immediate concerns regarding the facility’s occupancy use and fire code compliance,” the Clayton County Fire Department said in a statement.
Fire Marshal Chris Cameron and his team conducted a site inspection that same evening. The church director told officials the building was being used as a boarding site for teens placed there by the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). The teens, ranging from ages 15 to 18, had been relocated from a different state-approved facility.
However, officials said the church was not legally classified or equipped to serve as a residential facility. Cameron said the space lacked essential fire protection systems, including sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, and an adequate means of escape.
“These youth were not just temporarily staying here, they were living here full-time,” Cameron said, explaining that the church was being used as a home without meeting the necessary safety standards for residential board and care facilities.
Beds were set up in various rooms, and boys and girls were housed separately, officials said.
DFCS was notified, and the agency helped coordinate the teens’ removal. Firefighters and police remained on site until the last child was relocated around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The fire marshal’s office issued five citations to the church, including violations for failing to install a sprinkler system, fire alarm, and fire extinguishers, as well as failing to meet egress requirements and general board-and-care safety standards under NFPA 101.
Clayton County Fire Chief Tim Sweat said the department’s priority is protecting residents, especially vulnerable populations like children.
Officials declined to say why the teens were moved to the church or whether the relocation had been legally authorized.
DFCS has not commented on the situation.