Katie Holmes is said to be in a state of shock after learning of new allegations that some Scientology leaders abuse young children. The claims have been made by former Scientology members on www.exscientologykids.com, which boldly declares: 'I was born. I grew up. I escaped.'
The disenchanted women include Scientology leader David Miscavige's niece Jenna, who claims kids raised in the faith faced torturous child labour, religious brainwashing and a second-rate education.
On the website a Scientology 'escapee' claims: 'Some of us have lost our families. Some of us have experienced physical abuse and some of us were denied a proper education.'
Katie, 29, is said to have learnt about the women from an anxious family member who'd seen a segment on it while watching a US TV show.
Now Katie's concerned thattwo-year-old Suri and Tom's adopted kids Isabella, 15, and Conor, 13, might dislike their strict Scientology schooling.
A family insider says: 'Katie was devastated when she read what these poor women had to say about their experiences growing up. Now she's very frightened for her child.'inside scientology
'Suri's already being groomed as a potential celebrity face of Scientology, and so are Isabella and Conor. They've been told by church elders never to talk about their "classes", so I suppose she fears what goes on,' the family insider says.
Jenna Miscavige Hill, 24, revealed her parents became Scientologists when she was one. From the age of six to 12 she lived on a Scientology ranch where children worked long days doing physical tasks such as weeding gardens. And no matter how hot or how cold it was, the kids still worked.
At 12 she was moved to the church's mecca in Florida and refused access to her parents.
Another child Scientologist member, Astra Woodcraft, 29, revealed she had faced strict discipline and was 'held against a wall, screamed at and spat at'.
Katie was upset at what she read on the website and confronted Tom, 46, about it.A friend says: 'He tried to calm her down while reassuring her it was all lies dreamt up by a few disgruntled former members of the church.
'He pointed out Suri wouldn't be going to a Scientology school and instead would receive a first-rate education from his sisters. Tom was infuriated by the site and vowed to have his lawyers get it taken down.'
Baby number two
And Katie has more to worry about as Tom's told her he wants another baby, leaving Katie with a difficult choice.
After two years of bringing up Suri, she'd been hoping to give her career some much-needed attention and was thrilled to land a part in the Broadway revival of the Arthur Miller play All My Sons.
But Katie was stunned when Tom told her the play 'would be good for her to do before she concentrates on family again'.
He even suggested she rent a house with his sister Lee Anne and mother Mary Lee while she's working in New York.
'But another baby is the last thing Katie wants,' a friend says.
The problem is Katie's confided to her friends she's not ready for more children and wants to put her career first. Katie's parents Kathy and Martin have been concerned about Tom's demands too.
A pal says: 'They were furious. Tom needs to realise Katie's a talented actress who had great prospects before she met him.
'He told her to pull out of the new Batman movie, which is going to be the film of the year, and instead pushed her into Mad Money, which flopped.
'If he doesn't stop trying to dictate their marriage he might find himself watching another ex-wife collecting an Oscar.'
By Drew MacKenzie and Henry Meller
New Idea
