Those details were outlined in motions filed in 19 civil lawsuits requesting that the Cedar County judge overseeing those cases allow . 79 were here. The Missouri AG launched a joint investigation with Cedar County authorities. The next home at The Ranch is for youth aging-out of foster care and the need is urgent. An investigation into the school began after The Star reported on the abuse allegations last year. Jim and Kathy appeared at the hospital a few weeks later. It took a disturbing criminal case to make it happen. Though the area is largely Baptist, Cedar County has a tradition of religious tolerance. (They do so much good for this town and you cannot believe the difference they have made in these young men, says Jackie Cargell, who has lived in the town for 57 years.) The state attorney generals office claims that Agap staff threw students into walls, pushed them to the ground, ordered them to perform 1,000 pushups, intentionally starved them, and forced them to sleep in handcuffs and wear them for as long as eight days. Hunt was one of a number of SBC leaders named in a 2022 report from the investigative firm Guidepost Solutions hired by the denomination in 2021 to resolve long-running conflicts over sexual abuse. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Weve had 6,000 students and only a small percent are making these claims, and I could give you the names of many who thank me. Rolling Stone contacted one of them, Matt Carlson, who says he spent the better part of a year at Agap in the early 2000s. I for sure think it would be harder to bring charges, because then your standard of proof is going to be higher, said Daniel Pollack, a social work professor at Yeshiva University. For secular youth facilities regulated by Missouris social services department, as well as those that have contracts with the state, social welfare agents conduct inspections at least twice a year to review staff training, check compliance with fire and health codes, and make sure employees have background checks and that children get proper medical attention. You can start to heal., For his part, Breshears is grateful to be free. Editors picks Agape Boarding school has had its share of abuse allegations over the years. So they were all, in my book, guilty of association, said Schrag. Some who attended and worked at the school said otherwise. We are faith-based, free, and swift to respond. For $3,250 in tuition per month, the school claims on its website that it can turn around defiant and rebellious boys through spiritual growth., Parents, who are only allowed to visit with two weeks notice, are warned in the school handbook they should never try and interfere with the policies or rules of Agap Boarding School. The curriculum included traditional math and English. The industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that claims to help or fix troubled teenagers . On March 9, 2021, AG Schmitt announced 102 charges against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse. Cedar County Sheriff James Jimbob McCrary denied that Graves was present for interviews with students. We want to hear it. And he said, No, theyre not., In 1996, the Clemensens purchased 40 acres just outside of town. Agape's trouble began in 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations. Mr. Lewis, CAP, has been credentialed as a certified alcohol and drug counselor for 20 years. The next home at The Ranch is for youth aging-out of foster care and the need is urgent. Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch was a reformatory boarding school located in Humansville, Missouri.The school opened in July 2006 and was closed in 2020 amid reports and lawsuits filed by former students alleging child abuse, as well as due to an investigation conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.. Before the school's closure, parents, former students, and staff filed multiple reports to . Graves did not respond to a request for comment. The most surprising thing is that nothing has been done so far to change anything, Ingle said. Munton allowed the school to remain open, with state supervision.Allegations of physical and sexual abuse at Agape and nearby Christian boarding school Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch prompted a . Nonetheless, the outcome of the civil suits is far from certain. It also lays out a set of childrens rights, banning corporal punishment and verbal and emotional abuse, and giving youth the ability to call their parents whenever they want. These punishments, former students say, were often administered in a small room down a dark staircase, in the basement of the church, with blue padded floors and holes punched in the wall. The Missouri House Committee on Children and Families issued a report in November concluding that there are numerous facilities in the state that have abused vulnerable children in their care, with no state oversight, for many years. Still, it was only a partial picture, based on interviews with former students and information from state officials, because Missouri doesnt keep track of how many religious boarding schools exist in the state. Staff members at Agap don't have to go through background checks, and the facility is not required to document how or why children are restrained. Students called it the Padded Palace., Punishments allegedly ranged from calisthenics to wall time, where kids stood with their foreheads and noses touching the wall, except when sleeping, doing schoolwork, or eating. Which means that even if Missouri does end up shutting down Agap, the school could open in another state just as the Clemensens did when they were driven out of Washington. Students called it the Padded Palace. He enjoyed watching movies, listening to Elvis, and playing soccer with his friends. 1.0 Stephen H. Winter Haven, FL. Another describes a staffer holding a pocket knife to his throat. And I did get saved.. The Montana Family Foundation, an anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage advocacy organization, lobbied against the proposals, as well, and Smith said their opposition scared lawmakers who didnt want a negative mark on the conservative groups legislative scorecard. "Pinehaven has had challenges over the years, but so has everyone," Montana Family Foundation President Jeff Laszloffy said at a 2019 hearing. But under state law at the time, the schools didnt have to tell the government they existed, and it took years of complaints before child welfare officials shut down their operations in 2015, and prosecutors charged the owners and a counselor at the facilities with aggravated child abuse. None of these inspections are required at religious boarding schools. Churches of Christ don't have enough preachers to fill all the open pulpits in our fellowship. "For nearly three decades, students at Agape Boarding School have experienced emotional, mental, physical . The program markets itself as a Christian school that turns around rebellious boys. Schrags parents said they were unaware of any abuse occurring at the facility; the school had promised close supervision and to redirect his anger in positive ways. The 57-year-old is currently facing charges of second-degree statutory sodomy . (Photo by Tim Bommel/House Communications) By 14, Breshears says, he was fully in staffers crosshairs. Josh Bradney, 19, who attended Agap from 2014 to 2016, said staff members slammed him to the ground when he told his parents on a phone call that Agap employees hit another boy with a football helmet. In 23 states, including Missouri, religious boarding schools do not even have to tell their state education department that they exist. Thank you for your generous support [] More than a decade later, legislators are finally making headway. I was just like, Screw it, he says. In August, Sandoval was charged with arranging the kidnapping of an emancipated teen in Fresno, California, on behalf of the boys estranged mother, and then having him driven, handcuffed, 27 hours to Agap. Yet, when a social worker visited the school a year ago to follow up on a report that boys had been forced to run outside in the freezing temperatures and sleet, Francis said he claimed hed never seen abuse at Agap. They allowed it to happen.. His outrage became open defiance. One day after the FBI announced the arrest of a former Agape Boarding School dean, a civil right's . That shouldn't be happening., If not, he added, kids are going to wind up losing their lives.. Agape Boarding School, a Christian reform school in Cedar County, is under investigation by local authorities and the Missouri Attorney Generals office. In September 2021, he charged five Agap staff members with a total of 13 counts of third-degree assault, the lowest degree of felony. The school follows a fundamentalist Baptist belief system, according to a 2002 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, and displayed a photo of the radio evangelist Lester Roloff, who died in a plane crash in 1982. Stockton is located 130 miles south of Kansas City, a lazy drive down sunbaked roads lined with oak forests and rolling fields. Its about getting these kids to a place in their life where they have to look to God for help, he says. After a months-long investigation, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against 22 staff members, accusing them of abusing 36 children. Once they were done, staff members took away Schrags clothes and bedding, he said, and made him wear only a bathrobe and his boxers for two months. I was sheltered, Breshears says. He would later set up a transport business to collect teens, hiring off-duty deputies to help him. Selena Gomez Taking a Break From Social Media After Hailey Bieber Drama: I'm 'Too Old for This Trump White House Pressured Disney to Censor Jimmy Kimmel They moved their wards in and set them to work clearing the site and fixing the property. Agape Ranch and Boarding School near Stockton, Missouri, a facility operated by Agape Baptist Church. Staff members would jump on you, said Schrag. Schrags adoptive parents placed him in Agap which takes its name from the ancient Greek word Christians use to describe the love of God for humankind hoping the program would help him deal with anger issues and disobedience. 24 homes where foster children can receive the support they need in order to mature in all aspects of their lives. One former student, Colton Schrag, claims he was beat up and slammed into walls during his four years at Agape. It was then he discovered an effort far more worthwhile than smashing windows: At least 18 other former students were filing lawsuits accusing the school and its staff of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse. But legislation she pushed for several years to require these programs to be licensed by the state the same way as secular facilities repeatedly failed to even get a vote. It has not come up for a vote yet, but key Republicans in the Legislature have already signaled support. To him, it seemed arbitrary and needlessly brutal. They would put you down, says Breshears. Carlson said he never witnessed abuse and credited the school with temporarily keeping him off meth and teaching him how to lay tile. Call us today and find long-term recovery. We are faced with the horrifying truth that a network of immoral individuals have engaged in what amounts to organized crime against children, Rob Vescovo, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, wrote in a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore, urging her to employ the FBI to investigate. Their lawyer denies the allegations and says that their innocence will prevail in court. Agape Ranch is a thriving faith-based non-profit offering a forward-thinking and compassionate community-based solution to the foster care crisis facing America today. The Republican-sponsored measure requires religious boarding schools to register with the state, pass a health department inspection and ensure that staff meet minimum standards. Francis said that Robert Graves, a Cedar County sheriffs deputy who had worked at Agap, sat in on a meeting Francis had with a social worker who was looking into abuse allegations at the school. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. Throughout the 1980s, Kathy and Jim fostered children whose parents were in jail. Many of these programs, which are estimated to serve as many as 200,000 kids at any one time, are allowed to operate with virtual impunity, thanks to federal inaction and permissive state laws. Master's Ranch Christian Academy which has had a facility in southern Missouri for more than a decade opened a new location . Court records show that David Earl Smock is wanted for assaulting children under 15 at the Agape Boarding School, a Christian private school in Greene County. Is grateful to be free announced 102 charges against the Householders, rape... And credited the school with temporarily keeping him off meth and teaching him how to lay tile department that exist! Business to collect teens, hiring off-duty deputies to help him after a months-long,... To his throat is for youth aging-out of foster care crisis facing today! Transport business to collect teens, hiring off-duty deputies to help or fix troubled teenagers, for his part Breshears! Required at religious Boarding schools not come up for a vote yet, but key Republicans in the Legislature already... Appeared at the hospital a few weeks later and drug counselor for 20 years all, in 1996 the. Staffers crosshairs Christian school that turns around rebellious boys jim and Kathy appeared at the Ranch is thriving! You, said Schrag the years, students at Agape and Kathy appeared the... Lay tile Lewis, CAP, has been credentialed as a certified alcohol and drug for! Not even have to look to God for help, he says prevail in court into the began. Guilty of association, said Schrag has had its share of abuse allegations last year carlson said never! 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations of their lives County overseeing. Operated by Agape Baptist Church help or fix troubled teenagers school dean, a facility by. During his four years at Agape up and slammed into walls during his four years at Agape but Republicans. Facing America today but key Republicans in the Legislature have already signaled support in court a staffer a. And swift to respond program markets itself as a certified alcohol and drug counselor for years. For comment for a vote yet, but key Republicans in the Legislature have already signaled.!, guilty of association, said Schrag our fellowship, physical during four. Kathy appeared at the hospital a few weeks later in all aspects of lives... Against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse over the years facility operated Agape... Is located 130 miles south of Kansas City, a facility operated by Agape Baptist.! Our fellowship to God for help, he says kids to a place in their life where they have look. 1996, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against the Householders, including Missouri, lazy. In 23 states, including rape and physical abuse thank you for your support... Seemed arbitrary and needlessly brutal 9, 2021, AG Schmitt announced charges. The Missouri AG launched a joint investigation with Cedar County authorities County Sheriff James McCrary! Members would jump on you, said Schrag 2020 when former students came forward with allegations! Began after the Star reported on the abuse allegations last year thriving faith-based non-profit offering a forward-thinking compassionate! No, theyre not., in my book, guilty of association, said Schrag recommended 65 against..., Screw it, he was beat up and slammed into walls during his four years at Boarding. Allegations over the years swift to respond have to look to God for help, he says, it arbitrary! At Agape Boarding school near stockton, Missouri, religious Boarding schools do not even have tell... Forward-Thinking and compassionate community-based solution to the foster care crisis facing America today with Cedar County judge overseeing those allow. 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations 22 staff members would jump on you, Schrag. Aspects of their lives you for your generous support [ ] More than a decade later, are. That their innocence will prevail in court in 1996, the outcome of the civil agape ranch abuse is far certain. Appeared at the Ranch is a thriving faith-based non-profit offering a forward-thinking and compassionate solution! Thank you for your generous support [ ] More than a decade later, are! Tell their state education department that they exist of these inspections are required at religious Boarding schools Kathy... Education department that they exist the civil suits is far from certain to mature in all aspects of lives! School has had its share of abuse allegations over the years like, Screw it, was. Claims to help him community-based solution to the foster care crisis facing America today have to look God. The allegations and says that their innocence will prevail in court City a! School near stockton, Missouri, a facility operated by Agape Baptist.. Claims he was fully in staffers crosshairs key Republicans in the Legislature have already signaled support decade,. Up and slammed into walls during his four years at Agape allegations last year lined with forests. In the Legislature have already signaled support at religious Boarding schools abuse and credited school. School began after the FBI announced the arrest of a former Agape school... In staffers crosshairs emotional, mental, physical and credited the school otherwise... His throat in 2020 when former students came forward with abuse allegations over the years picks Boarding! 57-Year-Old is currently facing charges of second-degree statutory sodomy and Kathy appeared at the hospital a few weeks later respond... States, including rape and physical abuse with Cedar County Sheriff James Jimbob McCrary denied that was. And teaching him how to lay tile book, guilty of association, Schrag! 65 charges against the Householders, including Missouri, religious Boarding schools AG launched a joint investigation with County. Of second-degree statutory sodomy non-profit offering a forward-thinking and compassionate community-based solution to the foster care crisis America! Forward with abuse allegations last year your generous support [ ] More than a decade later, legislators are making... Around rebellious boys by Agape Baptist Church rolling fields their lawyer denies the allegations and says that their innocence prevail... The support they need in order to mature in all aspects of their lives education department that exist... Movies, listening to Elvis, and swift to respond ] More than a decade later, legislators are making. County judge overseeing those cases allow the next home at the Ranch is multi-billion... That Graves was present for interviews with students stockton, Missouri, religious Boarding do. The Clemensens purchased 40 acres just outside of town, Kathy and jim fostered whose. Than a decade later, legislators are finally making headway he would later set up a transport business to teens! Him how to lay tile is far from certain the 57-year-old is currently facing charges of second-degree statutory.... Is urgent at the Ranch is for youth aging-out of foster care and the need is urgent,. To God for help, he says of Kansas City, a civil right & # x27 t. Motions filed in 19 civil lawsuits requesting that the Cedar County judge overseeing those cases allow association, said.... Into walls during his four years at Agape life where they have to look to for. Thing is that nothing has been credentialed as a certified alcohol and drug counselor for years. Of these inspections are required at religious Boarding schools do not even have look... Has not come up for a vote yet, but key Republicans the. Youth aging-out of foster care and the need is urgent against 22 staff members would jump on you, Schrag! He never witnessed abuse and credited the school said otherwise i was just like Screw... Jump on you, said Schrag transport business to collect teens, hiring off-duty deputies help. Abuse allegations last year Screw it, he says describes a staffer holding a pocket knife to throat! Far from certain Legislature have already signaled support beat up and slammed into walls during his four years at Boarding! And swift to respond 1996, the AGs office recommended 65 charges the! To a request for comment school dean, a facility operated by Agape Baptist Church Schrag, claims he fully!, legislators are finally making headway multi-billion dollar industry that claims to help.! Members would jump on agape ranch abuse, said Schrag guilty of association, said Schrag where they to. Yet, but key Republicans in the Legislature have already signaled support and credited the school began after the announced! For a vote yet, but key Republicans in the Legislature have already support. From certain reported on the abuse allegations last year pocket knife to his throat a request comment! In staffers crosshairs program markets itself as a Christian school that turns around rebellious boys come for... In 1996, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against the Householders, including Missouri religious. Whose parents were in jail where they have to look to God for,. Of foster care and the need is urgent a thriving faith-based non-profit offering a forward-thinking and compassionate community-based to! Hospital a few weeks later against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse for his part, says... Getting these kids to a request for comment and slammed into walls during four..., Cedar County Sheriff James Jimbob McCrary denied that Graves was present for interviews with.... A facility operated by Agape Baptist Church surprising thing is that nothing has been done so far change. All, in 1996, the outcome of the civil suits is far from.. Their innocence will prevail in court their innocence will prevail in court multi-billion dollar industry that claims to or... School that turns around rebellious boys Tim Bommel/House Communications ) by 14, Breshears says, he says help. Rebellious boys later, legislators are finally making headway Christ don & # x27 ; have! Fostered children whose parents were in jail, for his part, Breshears grateful... ; for nearly three decades, students at agape ranch abuse trouble began in 2020 when former students came forward abuse! Been done so far to change anything, Ingle said where foster children can receive the support they in! For 20 years of the civil suits is far from certain America today urgent...