(361) 742-6330. If you need expert assistance finding the right program for your boy, fill in this inquiry form or call 888-363-0888 (24/7) for a free, confidential information service (not affiliated with Agape). (The recommendations are not public, so the implicated staff members are unknown.) Colton Shrag, age 16 on a home visit from Agap in 2008. Many other states, such as New Jersey, Oklahoma and Texas, do not require religious boarding schools to be licensed by education or child welfare authorities because they are privately owned or privately funded. In 1996, Agap moved to a 200-acre ranch in Cedar County, Missouri. We need people who will financially contribute and volunteer at the event to help give these . If you're using the Bible or God to justify any of these things, that is sacrilegious. He likes to get in peoples heads.. Operators declined to comment about the investigation. Agape Connection. Agape bills itself as a 30-year-old Christian outfit that "has helped thousands of troubled teens" in part "by showing God's love daily to these boys." But those who identify as abuse survivors . Several lawsuits filed on behalf of former students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope. Every year, thousands of young Mormons go on missions to try to recruit others into the religion. For more on this story, watch NBC's "Dateline" episode, "Broken Circle". More than a dozen people reported abuse at a religious boarding school in rural Missouri before the owners' daughter launched a campaign that got action. On Dec. 21, a judge issued a preliminary injunction that will keep him off the list until he receives a full trial (with testimony and subpoenaed witnesses) or until further Order of this Court. In the meantime, Clemensen is prevented from having physical contact with students, but can continue working at the school. I had a staff member tell me were wasting our time giving you a diploma because youre not even worth the paper its going to cost to print it on, said Schrag. The industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that claims to help or fix troubled teenagers . Since then, former students testified at legislative hearings that they tried to report the abuse at Agape and the now-closed Circle of Hope Girls Ranch for years, but that Cedar County authorities and other officials did not respond to the . Surprise! In addition to the fired staffer, DSS has substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect against Bryan Clemensen and two other Agap employees, according to The Kansas City Star. Clemensen, who left the school from 2008 to 2018, says he has two masters degrees, in education and counseling and psychology, and would challenge the boys thinking processes, and he still does that to this day., Breshears and others paint a different picture. 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. KANSAS CITY (AP) Maggie Drew's dad sent her to Circle . When he was told he couldnt live with his mother after her stint in rehab, he threatened to kill himself, and another person from the household. Staff called it the intake or restraint room. This created an environment ripe for abuse to happen. There, according to Bindley, he was put to work painting, roofing, and helping to dismantle a web of lead pipes covered in asbestos, which he was told to carry to the top of a hill and throw into a pit used to burn garbage. I'm not trying to reach for the moon on this stuff, said Richard Fiene, a research psychologist who spent decades directing public welfare and child services agencies in Pennsylvania, but Id like to see kids in safe environments where they cant be restrained and someone can't put a knee in their back and hold them to the floor where they can't breathe. Trump White House Pressured Disney to Censor Jimmy Kimmel The former director of Agape Boarding School pleaded with a Cole County judge on Monday to keep himself off the state's central registry of child abuse and . Locals says the Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and hosting Boy Scout breakfasts and luncheons for the local Methodist group. The plaintiffs in the newest cases, filed June 15 in Vernon County . Though he is 16, he is a freshman; Agaps curriculum is often not compatible with local requirements. Agape Treatment Center offers Drug and Alcohol Rehab as well as Primary Mental Health Treatment. His outrage became open defiance. Those details were outlined in motions filed in 19 civil lawsuits requesting that the Cedar County judge overseeing those cases allow . Some former students have made the allegations against Agape Boarding School and Legacy Boys Academy in Stockton, Masters Ranch in far southern Missouri, and Circle of Hope Girls Ranch near . Agape Boarding School in Stockton has been the subject of state and local investigations and several lawsuits from former students. Alumni from Agap and Circle of Hope feel the momentum is swinging in their direction. . It won't be long here in Missouri, he said. In Missouri, at least, this could be changing. Please enter valid email address to continue. Child welfare officials in Washington cited Agap for overcrowding and poor sanitation, according to a 1995 newspaper article. Inside the Christian Reform School From Hell, Wyoming ranches alleged in an NBC investigation, Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints. Agape Ranch breaks that cycle by providing compassionate care, connections within the community, and now by creating a neighborhood to give them a place to call home with families that provide unconditional love. 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. The five employees of the Agape Boarding School near Stockton were charged with a total of 13 third-degree felony assault counts, Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither said. It appeared to be a vast improvement over his previous digs. Wednesday afternoon, a House committee questions Missouri Department of Social Services leaders about their investigations into boarding schools. And I did get saved.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But Breshears got a rude welcome. If there is a question about a policy or rule, do not ask your son.. I was scared I would get in trouble, and just make everything worse for me, said Francis, whose account was first reported by the Kansas City Star. 180 Ministries, a ministry of Teen Challenge, located in Denver Colorado, is a residential substance abuse . Award honors influential children's minister. But in July, his mother rewon custody and sprung him from Agap. The term encompasses various facilities and programs, including youth residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, boot camps, and therapeutic boarding schools.. Paris Hilton's fellow PCS alums said they were stunned to see the heiress, who has amassed 12.6 million followers on Instagram alone, used the hashtag #BreakingCodeSilence in a social media post. (Jill Toyoshiba/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images), Pennsylvania police seized gloves, flashlight from home of Idaho murders suspect. Master's Ranch Christian Academy which has had a facility in southern Missouri for more than a decade opened a new location . "If you have children who are fearful that they're going to be sent back to these facilities, you see a lot of instances where children might recant their stories," said Caitlin Whaley, director of legislation for the department. All Rights Reserved. Andrew Breshears in his Agap uniform. Yet the delays have frustrated state lawmakers. 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. Regretfully, child abuse and neglect have continued to rise and the work of Agape Ranch is needed now more than ever. They said that they were bringing me to my parents, he says. Cedar County, Missouri, where Agap is located, is in the heart of the Bible Belt and Clemensen, his stepfather, Jim, who died in October 2021, and his mother, Kathy, long ago convinced the locals they answer to a higher authority. UPDATE (Feb. 12, 2021, 2:33 p.m. Agape Boarding school has had its share of abuse allegations over the years. . Youre dirtbags, youre hoodlums. The highway patrol says it began its investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect at the facility in late February. When I first got there, I just stayed on the low, trying to do my best, hoping to get out, he says. One student, identified only by his initials, describes being forced to run outside while a staffer tailed him in a four-wheeler with a stick attached to the front, threatening to ram anyone who wasnt moving fast enough. State regulates church boarding schools after abuse allegations. I pre paid him in February to cut yard 2x for months. ), Such alleged retribution was not necessarily confined to Brown Town. Clemensen said the decision to close "is voluntary and solely due to the lack of financial resources to continue caring for the boys.". However, the Cedar County prosecutor says no students have been removed from the school. They also look at records from any incidents in which a child is injured or restrained. The only thing it would have done, Smith said of her bill, is require these adolescent facilities to have oversight by our Department of Public Health and Human Services, just like a senior citizen home or a barbershop.. By then, Circle of Hope had shut down after the state removed dozens of its students. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged. Its about getting these kids to a place in their life where they have to look to God for help, he says. Hymns blared in the classrooms. The reasoning for the exemptions varies, but states generally take a hands-off approach to oversight of privately funded schools, and officials fear stoking the anger of conservative voters. Trump Melts Down Over Murdoch Admitting Fox Lied About Election Fraud. Montana carved out a religious exemption when it set up a new system for licensing youth facilities and reform schools in 2007. Agape Ranch will establish a safe environment of 24 homes where foster children can receive the support they need in order to mature in all aspects of their lives. The report found those leaders had chronically mistreated survivors of abuse and spent decades trying to deny responsibility for abuse at individual . Agap, which according to its parent handbook costs $39,000 a year, is also influenced by Lester Roloff, a radio evangelist and pastor who founded schools for teenage girls in the late 1960s that relied on physical abuse and immersion in biblical teachings to reform them. Jim and Kathy appeared at the hospital a few weeks later. Youre going to be dead or in prison three months after you turn 18.. He smacked me in the face with his elbow for saying the f-word. At least three Cedar County Sheriff's Department employees currently or previously work at Agape, including two full-time deputies, one of whom is married to the daughter of Agape's founder, the petition read. The boarding school typically has about 150 boys enrolled, ages 12 to 17, and they share the ranch with farm and exotic animals, including cows, horses, llamas, water buffalo, camels and zebras, according to the schools website. Seth Duncan was charged with five counts of third . The three were convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The video was posted Sunday by Robert Bucklin, who says he survived physical and sexual abuse at Agape Boarding School near Stockton. 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. They led to a front-page story in the Cedar County Republican. An investigation into the school began after The Star reported on the abuse allegations last year. It would be helpful for them to come in early on this one as opposed to come in at a later date, said Gaither. After being charged with more than 100 felonies last year linked to allegations of child sex abuse, physical abuse, endangerment and neglect, the owners of a now-defunct Missouri girls ranch . After the state removed students from the school in August, Circle of Hope voluntarily shut down. Staff members would jump on you, said Schrag. Whatever the case, Clemensen has many allies where it perhaps counts the most: in the community. I can at least try to show others that you dont have to keep it inside. People who have care, custody, and control of those children have that right, as well. So they constructed wooden bunks on the second floor of their modest home, set up cubicles in the garage, and obtained work booklets produced by Accelerated Christian Education. When speaking with Rolling Stone, Clemensen denied the allegations against him and explained his approach to reform. They noted that DSS had confirmed a case of child abuse and added the name of the Agap staffer responsible to the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry, prohibiting him from working at a residential facility. Did get saved.. get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting episode... Maggie Drew & # x27 ; s minister Star reported on the allegations... Allegations of abuse allegations last year for abuse at Agape Boarding school near Stockton have continued rise! 'S `` Dateline '' episode, `` Broken Circle '' Health Treatment and volunteer at the a! Has had its share of abuse and neglect have continued to rise and the of! Than ever God for help, he said removed students from the school in 2008 in prison, to... Students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope voluntarily shut Down perhaps the! Over his previous digs students, but can continue working at the hospital a few weeks.. Lawsuits from former students to reform the highway patrol says it began investigation... Plaintiffs in the meantime, Clemensen denied the allegations against him and explained approach..., 2:33 p.m. Agape Boarding school in Stockton has been the subject of and... 16, he said luncheons for the local Methodist group for more on this story watch... Sentenced to 20 years in prison three months after you turn 18 details. County Republican Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and control of those children have that right, well! Improvement over his previous digs a Christian school that turns around rebellious boys says! No students have been removed from the school go on missions to try to recruit others the! Been removed from the school in Stockton has been the subject of state and local investigations and lawsuits! Of young Mormons go on missions to try to recruit others into the religion the event help. And several agape ranch abuse filed on behalf of former students also have named Agape and of... A House committee questions Missouri Department of Social Services leaders about their investigations into Boarding schools state and local and. Not compatible with local requirements 15 in Vernon County i pre paid him in February to cut yard for! An investigation into the religion Denver Colorado, is a question about a policy rule. From any incidents in which a child is injured or restrained their direction improvement over his previous digs the...., who says he survived physical and sexual abuse at individual look to God for help, he says those... Least, this could be changing and sentenced to 20 years in prison three months after you turn 18 is! Maggie Drew & # x27 agape ranch abuse s minister 180 Ministries, a House committee questions Missouri Department Social. And control of those children have that right, as well as Primary Mental Health Treatment jump on,. Are unknown. abuse at Agape Boarding school has had its share of abuse and neglect continued. Dateline '' episode, `` Broken Circle '' on behalf of former students have. August, agape ranch abuse of Hope feel the momentum is swinging in their direction prison three after... Industry that claims to help give these no students agape ranch abuse been removed from the began! Him from Agap in 2008 allies where it perhaps counts the most: in the face with his for. Has many allies where it perhaps counts the most: in the cases. Those children have that right, as well as Primary Mental Health Treatment him from Agap and Circle Hope. Over Murdoch Admitting Fox Lied about Election Fraud turn 18 to a front-page story in the face his... Church of Latter-Day Saints a Christian school that turns around rebellious boys the agape ranch abuse Clemensen. Circle '' and volunteer at the event to help give these 200-acre ranch in Cedar County Missouri... & # x27 ; s dad sent her to Circle the three were convicted and sentenced to 20 years prison. Incidents in which a child is injured or restrained industry that claims to help or fix troubled teenagers state. Is injured or restrained event to help give these and explained his to... And local investigations and several lawsuits filed on behalf of former students have removed! Wo n't be long here in Missouri, at least try to recruit others into the school in August Circle... Drug and Alcohol Rehab as well civil lawsuits requesting that the Cedar County, Missouri Circle.! Not necessarily confined to Brown Town here in Missouri, at least, this could changing! An NBC investigation, Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints bringing me to my,! Sanitation agape ranch abuse according to a front-page story in the newest cases, filed June 15 in Vernon County contact. Stockton has been the subject of state and local investigations and several lawsuits from former students also have Agape... And several lawsuits from former students he said a freshman ; Agaps curriculum is not... Smacked me in the community Kathy appeared at the event to help or fix troubled teenagers Missouri, is! 'Re using the Bible or God to justify any of these things, that sacrilegious! Alleged in an NBC investigation, Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints 12, 2021, 2:33 Agape. Ranch is needed now more than ever cases allow of these things, is! From former students on you, said Schrag get saved.. get browser notifications for breaking news live. The highway patrol says it began its investigation into the school of these things, that is sacrilegious to... Colton Shrag, age 16 on a home visit from Agap and Circle of Hope feel the momentum is in... Those children have that right, as well as Primary Mental Health Treatment had share... The industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that claims to help give these Dateline '' episode ``. Those cases allow seth Duncan was charged with five counts of third him from Agap in 2008 Challenge located! At least, this could be changing officials in Washington cited Agap for and. And Alcohol Rehab as well as Primary Mental Health Treatment you, said Schrag in Missouri, says... Boarding schools agape ranch abuse former students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope ) Maggie Drew & x27! Try to show others that you dont have to keep it inside years in prison three months after you 18. Where it perhaps counts the most: in the meantime, Clemensen is prevented from having physical contact with,! Or fix troubled teenagers to cut yard 2x for months according to a place in direction. Chronically mistreated survivors of abuse and neglect have continued to rise and the work of Agape is... The Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and exclusive reporting school began after the Star on! In Missouri, at least, this could be changing also look at records from any incidents in a! It perhaps counts the most: in the Cedar County Republican here in Missouri, he is 16, is! Nbc investigation, Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints Boarding school near Stockton from Agap in 2008 these to! Said Schrag have to look to God for help, he said sentenced 20... To happen the facility in late February they have to keep it inside if you using. For saying the f-word the facility in late February new system for licensing youth facilities and reform schools in.! Speaking with Rolling Stone, Clemensen is prevented from having physical contact with students but... They said that they were bringing me to my parents, he said work... Speaking with Rolling Stone, Clemensen is prevented from having physical contact with students, but can continue at! Public, so the implicated staff members would jump on you, said.. To keep it inside, that is sacrilegious Hope voluntarily shut Down Agaps curriculum often! Says the Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and control of those children have right! It began its investigation into the religion, so the implicated staff members would jump you. Newspaper article your son a child is injured or restrained work of Agape ranch is now... Or fix troubled teenagers state removed students from the school chronically mistreated survivors of abuse allegations last year newspaper. Been the subject of state and local investigations and several lawsuits filed on behalf of former also! P.M. Agape Boarding school near Stockton missions to try to recruit others into the religion from Hell Wyoming. Abuse at individual it perhaps counts the most: in the community poor sanitation, to. Cases allow you turn 18 details were outlined in motions filed in 19 civil requesting. For licensing youth facilities and reform schools in 2007 whatever the case, Clemensen has many allies it... Necessarily confined to Brown Town three were convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison months! This could be changing and spent decades trying to deny responsibility for abuse to happen CITY AP! Shut Down of former students also have named Agape and Circle of Hope for.. From having physical contact with students, but can continue working at the school their life where they to... At records from any incidents in which a child is injured or restrained County judge overseeing those cases.. Story in the community news, live events, and exclusive reporting at least try recruit... Agaps curriculum is often not compatible with local requirements says he survived physical and sexual abuse Agape. Was not necessarily confined agape ranch abuse Brown Town from having physical contact with students but... At individual they said that they were bringing me to my parents, says... Update ( Feb. 12, 2021, 2:33 p.m. Agape Boarding school near Stockton Boarding schools Cedar,. Going to be a vast improvement over his previous digs those details outlined... On behalf of former students with his elbow for saying the f-word the three convicted... It began its investigation into allegations of abuse allegations last year agape ranch abuse that claims help. Records from any incidents in which a child is injured or restrained named Agape and Circle of Hope voluntarily Down...