Dad Tries Not to Cry When Kidnapped Daughter Is Found | The Case of Leah Henry

THE MISSING CHILDREN AND THE GEORGIA COMPOUND

Pay attention to these children. They are just two, of hundreds of kids who were reported missing by their parents, between 1993 and 2001. This footage shows where the kids were found, A 400 acre compound, isolated in a rural part of the state of Georgia. Where normally, no outsider is allowed entrance. The footage shows massive pyramids, a towering Sphynx, and strange monuments.
Inside, everyone appears happy, waving at the camera. But behind the smiles, these people are hiding a disturbing secret.
When the local sheriffs investigated the missing children, they were met at the gate by armed men.

While what really went on inside the compound remained a secret for decades, Doctors in Georgia started noticing an alarming pattern: multiple hospitals admitting dozens of children from the compound, as young as 11 years old, who were pregnant.
The FBI quickly got involved, planning a raid on the compound, to save the hundreds of children living behind the gates.
But the FBI was afraid of having a repeat of the attack in Waco, Texas, a cult raid which saw dozens of young children murdered and sparked mass hysteria. The FBI would have had no idea what they were up against, until one 7 year-old girl escaped the compound, before it was too late. She was the only one, who could expose the truth.

DISCOVERING THE NUWAUBIAN COMMUNITY

It’s 1977, in New York city. 2-year-old Niki is living with her mother in a small apartment in Queens, New York, a neighborhood riddled with crime and violence. Every day, as Niki’s mom leaves for work, she experiences the brutality of the streets of New York. She thinks about little Niki–this is not the world she wants her to grow up in. But with little money, the single mom doesn’t have many options. But one day everything changes when, Niki’s mother is approached by a man in long white garments. He hands her a book and points at the address printed on the cover. That night, she becomes filled with curiosity and reads the book cover to cover–finally feeling that her prayers and hopes for a better life are being answered. Immediately, she decides that she will visit the man the next day.

As she walks down the street, she proceeds with her usual caution, but, as she approaches 717 Bushwick Avenue, she feels the air around her begin to change. Slowly, she hears the faint sound of a choir singing. As she walks in, she sees children laughing, playing, and running around freely in beautiful garments. She comes face to face with an entire community: a community who preaches about their struggle, while lifting each other up. After this first meeting, a new routine starts for the young mother: she begins attending the gatherings regularly, finally finding a place that feels like home. Slowly, the streets of New York feel safer with the help of this new community, and as the years go by, Niki’s mom starts to change: she finally sees a future for her and her kids: one that is hopeful, and full of possibilities.

NIKI GROWS UP INSIDE THE NATION

Niki, now 7 years old, starts to become more and more aware of her mother’s faith, and for the first time since her mom’s discovery, she tags along to a sermon with her. Niki’s mom watches her daughter as she enters– seeing her child carefree, and surrounded by such peace and joy brings tears to her eyes.Behind this safe community, is one man who made it all happen–its charismatic preacher: Dr. Dwight Malachi York.

THE ORIGINS THE NUWAUBIAN NATION

The community, known as the Nuwaubian Nation, had its roots in New York City back in the 1960s. At the time, the city was an even more dangerous place to live — especially for African Americans, who faced daily discrimination and violence in the years following segregation. Racial tensions were high, and the streets of New York were no less forgiving: muggings, drug deals, and violent crime were a part of everyday life. So for many, the new community offered more than just spiritual and cultural liberation, it was a safe haven for Black residents in New York and across other cities along the East Coast.

York, was an accomplished speaker who spent decades building this community. He often spoke about fighting for Black Americans, and had ties to the Black Panther movement. On the side, he was also a musician, producing his own smooth jazz, funk, and disco records. He was an artist, and activist, and most importantly, the leader of the Nuwabian Nation. His message of self-empowerment and strength only grew stronger into the 80s. And that’s when, in 1986, Niki’s family takes a big leap of faith. At just 11 years old, Niki officially moves into the compound in Bushwick, New York. Along with her 2 younger siblings, she’s promised a roof over her head, protection, and the assurance of a better, brighter future. But with their new lives, come new rules, new customs – and ultimately, a completely new way of life.

LIFE UNDER DWIGHT MALACHI YORK’S CONTROL

The spiritual leader is particularly fond of Niki and her siblings, and makes sure they’re well fed, properly dressed, and kept entertained. He pays them close attention, greeting them warmly, checking in on their well-being, and ensuring they’re included in community activities. For Niki, the attention feels comforting, special. In a way, she’s found a new father figure to look up to: someone both protective and powerful. Dr. Malachi Dwight York is at the center of the Nuwaubian Nation. He is revered as their leader and their savior–he is the provider of safety and hope. By this point, there’s over 1000 members, and their community's in Bushwick, is becoming increasingly crowded. It comes to a point where it’s clear to York, that they’ve outgrown the city streets, and a new chapter needs to begin.

FROM NEW YORK TO GEORGIA

And it will be over 900 miles away from New York, in the rural farmlands of Putnam County, Georgia, that Dwight York decides to build the new home for his congregation. Before York starts building in Georgia, he decides to fully overhaul the Nuwaubian Nation doctrine–drawing from different cultures, religions, and mythologies from around the world to create a new identity for his community. He makes drastic changes to his appearance in his quest–one moment, taking on a western persona, donning cowboy hats and boots, next he claims to be an extraterrestrial being called “Yaanuwn”, and even going as far as calling himself, “Chief Black Thunderbird Eagle,” while wearing a feather headdress. He moves from one identity to the next until he lands on the perfect one that will define the new Nuwaubian Nation.

York gathers his followers for a sermon. There, he proclaims the true origin of Nuwaubians: that they are, in fact, descendants of Ancient Egyptians from a different planet. His loyal followers welcome their new-found identity and quickly get to work. They begin building. A massive sphinx head is erected, towering over the previously abandoned farmland. Artists are hired, murals are painted, and before long, dozens of elaborate structures and several large pyramids begin to take shape. With each new structure, the place transforms into something so bizarre and theatrical–drawing more and more attention from their neighbours and passersby. Dwight and his followers name it “Tama-Re,” Egypt of the West.Though the neighbours are confused by the strange new community, the compound isn’t disruptive: the grounds stay tidy, there’s no noise, and no trouble. it’s strange to look at, yes, but it appears harmless. But the truth is not what it seems, and what’s really going on behind these walls, is far more disturbing.

NIKI’S REVELATION

Two years after joining the Nuwaubian community, Niki finally feels settled in her new home.. But then one day, one of York’s wives finds Niki alone on the grounds. She calls her over urgently, leading her to a private room. And that's what the woman tells the young teenager, something she never expected. In a state of shock, Niki doesn’t know what to do, or how to feel. She just listens. Maybe this is normal, and every other young girl in the community gets the same talk from Dwight York as part of his teachings. After all, he is the respected leader, the “prophet”.

That’s when York comes in, and locks the door behind him – leaving him and Nikki alone in the room. The young teenager looks at the man she calls her father–something feels wrong. Suddenly a strong sense of fear washes over her. In that moment, the trust she once had in him, shatters. The world she thought she understood, the people she thought she could rely on, all feels different now. Everything has changed, and there’s no going back.

TRAPPED IN FEAR AND CONTROL

Niki stays quiet, trapped by the rules, and by the eyes constantly surveying her, making sure she stays loyal, and doesn’t disrespect the leader by going against his teachings. With no one to turn to, not even her own mother, it feels like there’s nowhere else to go. Niki lives in fear, harbouring a secret that she tells no one. Everyone in the community acts normally, praising Dwight York, worshiping their leader, not knowing the darkness this man possesses. But as the teenager grows up, something inside her tells her that she’s not alone. York’s power has only grown, unchallenged and out of sight. A part of Niki knows she needs to escape to save herself and the other children. But the fear of leaving behind everything she knows, everything she has ever had, is strong.

DECIDING TO ESCAPE AND DEFY THE CULT

Having been herself a victim of Dwight York is one thing, but seeing the same thing happening to younger children, is another. In spite of years of manipulation and grooming, Nikki can still see how wrong everything is. Over time, she realizes that she needs to escape, not just for her sake, but for all the other girls who need to be protected. However, her mother doesn’t see it that way: for her, the community is what saved her and her kids from the dangers of the world, so when Niki gathers up the courage to confess her plan, her mom’s reaction takes her by surprise. The side she’s chosen, is not her daughter’s – and that’s when a campaign of intimidation and pressure begins, led mainly by York, but also, by her own mother.

Despite the heartache, Niki tries to stay strong. With no family on the outside to help her, she tracks down a former cult member, now living in Atlanta, who offers her a place to stay while she reaches safety. Meanwhile, York is furious to see “one of his daughters” trying to leave him. The betrayal is huge and his pride is on the line. Niki, by openly rejecting him, has cornered him. That’s when York takes an unprecedented decision, in an attempt to save face: Niki is not leaving him – he, is the one kicking her out and even arranges a car to drive her to Atlanta. But, her mind is set, all she can think of is who she left behind: York is a monster and the world needs to know. Her mission is clear: expose the disturbing truth about York’s cult, and save the children still trapped at the compound before it’s too late, but unbeknownst to her, the FBI, is already on it....

THE FBI INVESTIGATION : PLANNING THE RAID

For years, the FBI has been quietly building a case against the cult leader- ever since they started receiving the most unusual phone calls from across the country: calls from parents, who all had… missing children.Then, doctors from the surrounding area started sounding the alarm: they were uncovering a horrific pattern: girls, as young as 11 years old, were showing up at hospitals, pregnant. As they traced their locations, they all came from one place- the Nuwaubian compound. While agents continue their investigation into York, there’s growing concern about the potential violence and innocent lives that could be lost if the FBI confronts the community leader directly at the compound. York becomes increasingly more aggressive and reckless, appointing armed guards to guard the gate, whileThe locals of Putnam County become even more wary of their strange neighbours as things escalate. It is clear that something sinister is happening at the compound, but with no witnesses willing to talk about it, authorities are left in a tough spot. Both the FBI and Law enforcement in Georgia don’t want to have a repeat of Waco…

In 1993, in Waco, Texas, just 1 year before the investigation on the Nuwaubian Nation leader, Dwight York, began, a 51-day standoff between the FBI, and a religious group called the Branch Davidians ended in a deadly fire, resulting in 76 deaths, including 25 children. What began as an attempt to serve a search and arrest warrant, escalated into one of the most tragic events in U.S. history. The aftermath sparked outrage in the media, with witnesses and survivors criticizing the government's handling of the situation. Now faced with the same fear, authorities are deeply concerned about how to handle their investigation on York. For nearly a decade, they did everything to build a strong case against the leader, but what they really needed was a real victim statement. Someone on the inside, who knew what was going on – to expose the truth which is when Niki, the girl who had just escaped, decides to come forward.

Finally, with a survivor on the record, authorities have enough evidence to make their move. On the morning of May 8th, 2002, Sheriff Sills and an army of over 200 deputies, US Marshals, and FBI tactical agents, get ready to bring in Dwight York. The difficult part, is that they need to prevent York from rallying his followers to violently resist the police upon entry. If this goes wrong, it could quickly turn deadly, and they know a lot of children are on the premises. That’s when Sheriff Sills comes up with a plan. The first step will be closely tracking Dwight York, patiently waiting for him to leave the compound before the raid. Hours pass. The authorities wait in silence – in fear of what comes next. Finally, the gates of Tama-Re open. They spot a sleek black car leaving. The FBI agents start following it, doing their best not to get spotted. FBI agents hold their breath, waiting for the car door to open as they wait hidden in the parking lot– hoping Dwight York has been the man in the vehicle this whole time. One miscalculation could risk the entire operation – if it’s not York, they can't risk the leader discovering that they’re coming for him while still protected at the compound. Then, the car door swings open. A man exits from the back seat. The surveillance team confirms it. It’s Dwight York walking out of the car. Now is the time to strike: The agents make their move just as planned, with meticulous coordination, they quickly move out of unmarked vehicles, approaching York, who surrounded by a swarm of armed agents, finally has nowhere left to run, and the team makes an arrest.

Sheriff Sills’ turn to complete his mission: he swiftly leads a convoy with dozens of local and federal officers into the gates of Tama-Re, but not without caution. Hundreds of innocent children and their families live on the grounds. Despite anticipation of resistance and retaliation, they enter without force, through the main gates.

THE FALL OF DWIGHT YORK

The operation is successful, and without any violence. After years of fear, secrecy, and abuse, Tama-Re finally comes to a quiet end. Now, with York in custody and the Nuwaubian compound disbanded, Putnam County law enforcement continues building their legal case against York, with the FBI. For nearly two years, they gather more witnesses, expert testimonies, and countless pieces of evidence.

Early January 2004, Dwight York’s trial begins. He faces charges for several counts of child abuse, rape, raketeering, conspiracy, and tax fraud. Finally York is facing accountability for his horrific crimes, the survivors sit together, hand in hand. Among the survivors, is Niki. She looks at York– he is no longer the self-proclaimed god and prophet she once knew. To her, he just looks like a regular old man, his hair turning grey, and his body appearing frail in an orange prison jumpsuit. Niki stands with her head high–nervous, but with strength, she walks towards the witness stand to testify against the man who once had so much power over her.
After three weeks of testimony, on January 23, 2004, Dwight York is found guilty on 11 of the 13 counts, and sentenced to the maximum penalty. Among the litany of state and federal charges against him, York pleads guilty to 74 counts.

TURNING TRAUMA INTO IMPACT

After York’s conviction, Niki moves to South Florida with a new lease on life. There, she pursues her GED and finds her passion as an artist with a mission to serve the community and empower others. In 2015, Niki starts an organization called “What’s Your Elephant,” which uses the arts as an avenue to challenge social norms. For the last 20 years, Niki has positively influenced her community. Dwight York called himself a leader, but Niki, showed what being a leader really means. She became a mentor, a teacher, and a most importantly a genuine safe place for others. In fact, her strength to stand up for herself, and for others, hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In 2004, after testifying against York, she received the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award: the highest civilian humanitarian award in the US. Through her determination to turn her pain into purpose, Niki continues to work with underserved communities, supporting them to speak their truth, and share their stories. Today, she stands as a true leader – proof that even in the darkest chapters, healing and purpose can emerge.