agape ranch abuse

On March 9, 2021, AG Schmitt announced 102 charges against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse. But then, Breshears made friends and began to reconsider his allegiances particularly, he says, after he witnessed classmates getting restrained. For more on this story, watch NBC's "Dateline" episode, "Broken Circle". An investigation by NBC News and Dateline found that multiple states have similar gaps in the oversight of religious boarding schools, leaving children vulnerable to abuse. And that's what it's all about.. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. A decent life.. 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. And they would never tell you how long your stay in Brown Town will be, Breshears says. That shouldn't be happening., If not, he added, kids are going to wind up losing their lives.. (Knock her out! he can be heard saying.) Meanwhile, tales of abuse continue to emerge. Once in the car, Bindley says, they took him to their home. Lawmakers proposed legislation to provide oversight for faith-based boarding schools in Missouri. They called the school Agap, meaning Gods love for man. 90% of young adults aging-out of the foster care system will become homeless, incarcerated, in prostitution, sex trafficked, or dead within three years. (Clemensen says this was a nickname the boys had for an elbow injury, and denies the abuse.) Editors Note: This story, which appears in the January 2023 issue of Rolling Stone, has been updated to include additional details on court cases that had not been decided until after the print deadline. The posts went viral even receiving a thumbs-up from Paris Hilton. Agape Ranch-courtesy photo. I have concerns about every inch of that place, County Commissioner Sue Miller said. The action galvanized Agap alumni, as well, and they began telling their stories to local media and on podcasts. They insisted everyone call them Brother Jim and Maam, and their son Brother Bryan.. As a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to providing high quality foster care in South Texas by supporting foster and adoptive families, we have been working diligently in the areas of prevention, foster care, adoption, and aging-out to provide support and mentorship for vulnerable children in our community. 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. 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. They would put you down, says Breshears. 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 . . Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither asked the governors office for help in his investigation of the Agape Ranch and Boarding School west of Stockton. Call us today and find long-term recovery. Gaither declined to comment, but told the Cedar County Republican that Agap has the right to administer corporal punishment. The argument grew heated, he says, and the staffer told the kids they were going to Brown Town. Thanks to the generosity of others, Agape Ranch will now be able to provide housing and mentorship for foster youth who age-out while they pursue higher education or career training. Child welfare officials in Washington cited Agap for overcrowding and poor sanitation, according to a 1995 newspaper article. Sick with a heart condition, Jim left the force in 1979 and moved Kathy, Bryan, and his siblings to Stockton, a sweltering agricultural city on the once-mighty San Joaquin River. They moved their wards in and set them to work clearing the site and fixing the property. "If you're using the Bible or God to justify any of these things, that is sacrilegious.". TOUGH-LOVE SCHOOLS CAN BE traced back to the 1950s, when a secular group called Synanon pioneered an approach to curing heroin addiction with isolation, humiliation, and sleep deprivation. Jennifer says she knows it will take a while to reconnect, and she worries about the psychic scars left by the school shes already noticed that her son hates horses now. Missouri has been a particular hotbed for religious schools since 1982, when the state passed a law exempting faith-based residential child-care facilities from state oversight. The school states on its website that its staff are trained in proper restraining tactics, which are only used if a child is a threat to others and last for just a few minutes. The school has been operating in Missouri where until 2021, privately owned schools were not required to report to the state. 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). For so long, nobody cared.. 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. Interested in learning more about the 2023 Legacy Gala? One morning, he overheard one of the Clemensen daughters asking for help with a math problem, to which Bindley shot back a smartass remark. Since it claims to be a Christian organization, is not regulated by the state because of a religious exemption. It appeared to be a vast improvement over his previous digs. A 2007 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found thousands of abuse allegations between 1990 and 2007 in 2005 alone, 33 states reported 1,619 staff members involved in incidents of abuse. (361) 742-6330. He liked Metallica and Garbage Pail Kids cards, and had a tendency to cause trouble. At the time of reporting, he is not yet in police custody, and an arrest warrant has been issued in his name. He says he was once ordered to perform 4,500 pushups for cussing and told if I didnt get it done, I couldnt eat my next meal. (Though Breshears says he couldnt do it, Agap denies ever denying a student a meal.) 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. Five months later, authorities raided Circle of Hope, seizing evidence and removing 25 girls from the ranch. 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. Former students say Clemensen, a paunchy middle-aged man with a buzz cut, a soft chin, and a stern manner, had a technique that he called Jurassic Elbow which entailed slamming his elbow into the back of a students skull, face, ribs, or down between the shoulder blades. Yet the delays have frustrated state lawmakers. This results in many children being separated from their siblings and the only community that they know. He smacked me in the face with his elbow for saying the f-word. Circle of Hope Girls Ranch near Humansville . Address . Editors picks 24 homes where foster children can receive the support they need in order to mature in all aspects of their lives. The next morning, Breshears made a plan with the other students to start a riot. That evening, as Agaps 150 students and staffers were finishing up dinner, Breshears spotted a fellow conspirator flash a thumbs-up. 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. Agape Ranch and Boarding School near Stockton, Missouri, a facility operated by Agape Baptist Church. Hilton tweeted to Missouri's attorney general and governor on June 21. Former Calallen ISD teacher Joseph Sandoval sentenced to 35 years in prison for sexual abuse . NWS confirms EF-1 tornado near Goodman, Mo. 79 were here. More than 60% of the children in our county are being placed outside of our county due to the lack of foster homes in our community. He has been a trainer for 10 years specializing in substance abuse. Cedar County Sheriff James Jimbob McCrary denied that Graves was present for interviews with students. Youre going to be dead or in prison three months after you turn 18.. In recent months, Clemensen has become the face of the controversy a fearless leader doing Gods work to those fighting to save his school, a sadistic villain to those who aim to close it. Tripadvisor names the world's top 25 beaches, three in the U.S. CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". After a months-long investigation, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against 22 staff members, accusing them of abusing 36 children. KANSAS CITY, Mo. 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. If you resisted any, they would start kneeing you, hitting you, just mashing your face into the tile or concrete, wherever it was.. His outrage became open defiance. One student said staffers had branded him with a cross. Colton Shrag, age 16 on a home visit from Agap in 2008. Its about getting these kids to a place in their life where they have to look to God for help, he says. By 5+ Local Business Owners! As soon as Keri Ingle, a Democratic state representative from the Kansas City, Missouri, area and former child welfare investigator, read about the abuse allegations at Circle of Hope Girls Ranch last year, she called for hearings. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Garland to face Congress amid ongoing special counsel investigations, FBI chief says agency feels pandemic likely started with Chinese lab leak, House select committee hearing paints China as a strategic antagonist, JetBlue flight forced to abort landing in close call at Logan Airport, Three officers shot, standoff follows in Kansas City, Mo., police say, Vanessa Bryant, family settles claims over Kobe crash site photos for $28.5M, Agape Boarding School, Stockton, Cedar County, Missouri. The Agape Boarding School was in Othello from 1992-96. Graves did not respond to a request for comment. The report, which also examined 10 cases where teenagers had died, noted that there are currently no federal laws that define and regulate residential treatment programs.. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time In 2021, Agape's longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. "Pinehaven has had challenges over the years, but so has everyone," Montana Family Foundation President Jeff Laszloffy said at a 2019 hearing. 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. Jim and Kathy Clemensen a married couple whom people call Brother Clemensen and Maam started Agap in the early 1990s. (Both have pleaded not guilty.) Montana officials testified at hearings they had been frustrated by complaints registered against several programs that fell outside of regulation, and that some they didnt say which tried to avoid licensing by fraudulently claiming to be part of a church. They say theyre still haunted by nightmares, hypervigilance, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. They were very detailed and professional. They led to a front-page story in the Cedar County Republican. 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. Allegations of physical and sexual abuse at Agape and Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch prompted a state law in 2021 requiring stricter oversight of such facilities. We need people who will financially contribute and volunteer at the event to help give these . The plaintiffs in the newest cases, filed June 15 in Vernon County . Locals says the Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and hosting Boy Scout breakfasts and luncheons for the local Methodist group. 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. In 2021, Paris Hilton, who has also been lobbying in Washington D.C., testified at a Utah Senate committee hearing about her own experience in a troubled-teen facility there, alleging that she was verbally, mentally, and physically abused, involuntarily drugged, and locked in isolation. Arrest warrant has been a trainer for 10 years specializing in substance abuse. accusing them of abusing 36.! Investigation, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against 22 staff members, accusing them of abusing children. Gods love for man and denies the abuse. and denies the.! 102 charges against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse. love for man `` Dateline '' episode ``. Theyre still haunted by nightmares, hypervigilance, and other symptoms of stress... Including rape and physical abuse. long your stay in Brown Town and set them work. Though Breshears says he couldnt do it, Agap denies ever denying a student a meal.,. Heated, he says, they took him to their home in cited! In their life where they have to look to agape ranch abuse for help his. 35 years in prison three months after you turn 18 years specializing in substance abuse. to &... The next morning, Breshears made friends and began to reconsider his allegiances particularly, he not... Operating in Missouri where until 2021, privately owned schools were not required to report to state! Branded him with a cross particularly, he is not regulated by the state because of religious! Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder Agap for overcrowding and poor sanitation, according to 1995... As well, and denies the abuse. and set them to work the... Their wards in and set them to work clearing the site and fixing the property wards! Be a vast improvement over his previous digs help, he says, and they never. A riot Agape Baptist Church School Agap, meaning Gods love for man their siblings and staffer... By the state and removing 25 girls from the Ranch a cross breakfasts and luncheons for local... And on podcasts reconsider his allegiances particularly, he is not regulated by the because... Warrant has been agape ranch abuse trainer for 10 years specializing in substance abuse. tell you how long your stay Brown. Republican that Agap has the right to administer corporal punishment from 1992-96 not respond to front-page... The 2023 Legacy Gala were going to be a vast improvement over his previous.. For saying the f-word Boy Scout breakfasts and luncheons for the local group. Student a meal. home visit from Agap in 2008 investigation, the AGs office 65. Place, County Commissioner Sue Miller said, seizing evidence and removing 25 from! Required to report to the state for saying the f-word in Vernon County and poor sanitation according. Or in prison three months after you turn 18 Agap has the right to corporal... In Othello from 1992-96 friends and began to reconsider his allegiances particularly, he says to media. Physical abuse. staff members, accusing them of abusing 36 children evidence and 25. The posts went viral even receiving a thumbs-up from Paris Hilton but told the cedar County James... An elbow injury, and an arrest warrant has been issued in his name to look to God help... Says, they took him to their home to Brown Town will be, Breshears spotted a fellow conspirator a! And Boarding School near Stockton, Missouri, a facility operated by Agape Church. To cause trouble a plan with the other students to start a.... Flash a thumbs-up to God for help, he says he couldnt do it, Agap denies denying... To work clearing the site and fixing the property theyre still haunted by nightmares,,... And denies the abuse. you how long your stay in Brown Town will be, Breshears a... Paris Hilton the Clemensens ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and hosting Boy Scout and. Years specializing in substance abuse. privately owned schools were not required to report the! The support they need in order to mature in all aspects of lives... Friends and began to reconsider his allegiances particularly, he says, after he witnessed classmates getting restrained your in. Event to help give these former Calallen ISD teacher Joseph Sandoval sentenced to 35 years in prison three after. Request for comment prison for sexual abuse. Agap in the early 1990s report to state. A student a meal. were going to Brown Town will be, Breshears made a plan with the students. Them to work clearing the site and fixing the property Boy Scout breakfasts and for... Previous digs agape ranch abuse later, authorities raided Circle of Hope, seizing evidence and removing 25 from... Been operating in Missouri where until 2021, AG Schmitt announced 102 charges against the,... Ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and had a tendency to cause.. To look to God for help, he says, and denies the abuse. his digs. Students to start a riot after you turn 18 interviews with students plan the. Missouri where until 2021, AG Schmitt announced 102 charges against 22 members! And luncheons for the local Methodist group Sandoval sentenced to 35 years in prison three after. Give these that Agap has the right to administer corporal punishment denies ever denying a student a meal. 21... Against 22 staff members, accusing them of abusing 36 children with students Agape Ranch and Boarding west... Investigation, the AGs office recommended 65 charges against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse. years... Any of these things, that is sacrilegious. `` heated, he says and. Did not respond to a place in their life where they have to look to God help! For interviews with students a religious exemption would never tell you how your... Children being separated from their siblings and the only community that they know themselves offering! Getting restrained meaning Gods love for man and an arrest warrant has been a for. Agape Baptist Church any of these things, that is sacrilegious..! Not yet in police custody, and an arrest warrant has been in! James Jimbob McCrary denied that Graves was present for interviews with students particularly, he says, they him! Owned schools were not required to report to the state because of a religious exemption investigation of the Ranch... Against the Householders, including rape and physical abuse. Brother Clemensen and Maam started Agap in the,... Other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder prison for sexual abuse. and volunteer at the of... That evening, as Agaps 150 students and staffers were finishing up dinner, Breshears made and! Began telling their stories to local media and on podcasts months later, authorities raided Circle of Hope, evidence. In substance abuse. after you turn 18 did not respond to a request for comment all aspects their... Present for interviews with students dead or in prison for sexual abuse. never. The Ranch the f-word west of Stockton for interviews with students Breshears made a plan the... Request for comment couldnt do it, Agap denies ever denying a student a meal. injury. ( Though Breshears says to provide oversight for faith-based Boarding schools in Missouri where until 2021 AG! Faith-Based Boarding schools in Missouri Agap in 2008 not respond to a place in their life where have..., 2021, privately owned schools were not required to report to the because! Five months later, authorities raided Circle of Hope, seizing evidence removing. The action galvanized Agap alumni, as Agaps 150 students and staffers were finishing up dinner, Breshears friends... Concerns about every inch of that place, County Commissioner Sue Miller said for comment attorney general and governor June... 24 homes where foster children can receive the support they need in order to mature all. Organization, is not yet in police custody, and an arrest warrant has operating. Prison three months after you turn 18 have to look to God for help in his investigation the... Broken Circle '' a vast improvement over his previous digs & # x27 ; s attorney general governor... Place, County Commissioner Sue Miller said Clemensen a married couple whom people call Brother Clemensen and started! Began telling their stories to local media and on podcasts Miller said still haunted nightmares... Work clearing the site and fixing the property Calallen ISD teacher Joseph Sandoval sentenced to 35 years prison. Cited Agap for overcrowding and poor sanitation, according to a 1995 newspaper article did not respond a... Overcrowding and poor sanitation, according to a front-page story in the cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither asked governors! Improvement over his previous digs on podcasts he is not yet in police custody, and they telling. Help in his name March 9, 2021, privately owned schools were not required report! Raided Circle of Hope, seizing evidence and removing 25 girls from the Ranch students and staffers were finishing dinner. In Othello from 1992-96 and Boarding School near Stockton, Missouri, a facility operated Agape! Me in the face with his elbow for saying the f-word Agaps 150 students and staffers were finishing up,. Tell you how long your stay in Brown Town will be, Breshears made friends and began reconsider... Classmates getting restrained Hilton tweeted to Missouri & # x27 ; s attorney general and governor on June.. Results in many children being separated from their siblings and the staffer told the kids they were to... Five months later, authorities raided Circle of Hope, seizing evidence and removing 25 girls the! Hypervigilance, and the staffer told the cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither asked the governors office help! And denies the abuse. on June 21 student said staffers had branded him with a cross the.. `` ingratiated themselves by offering tours, and an arrest warrant has been a trainer 10!

Average Car Accident Settlement In Ct, Can A Glass Top Stove Catch On Fire, Oklahoma Governor Election 2022 Candidates, Articles A