TOPEKA, Kan. — The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who founded a Kansas church widely known for its protests at military funerals and antigay sentiments, is in a health care facility, a church spokesman said.
Phelps, 84, is being cared for in a Shawnee County health center, Westboro Baptist Church spokesman Steve Drain said Sunday. Drain would not identify the facility.
‘‘I can tell you that Fred Phelps is having some health problems,’’ Drain said. ‘‘He’s an old man, and old people get health problems.’’
Members of the Westboro church, based in Topeka, frequently protest at funerals of soldiers with signs containing messages such as ‘‘Thank God for dead soldiers,’’ and ‘‘Thank God for 9/11,’’ claiming the deaths are God’s punishment for American immorality and tolerance of homosexuality and abortion.
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