Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cbabe

(4,145 posts)
Tue Sep 13, 2022, 09:47 AM Sep 2022

Lawyers spar as Missouri judge again delays closing Agape Boarding School over safety issues (ie phy

https://nordot.app/942172753042915328

Lawyers spar as Missouri judge again delays closing Agape Boarding School over safety issues (ie physical and sexual abuse)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five days after a southwest Missouri judge signed an order to close Agape Boarding School and remove students over concerns they weren’t safe, he again delayed that action Monday.

Officials with the Missouri attorney general’s office and the Missouri Department of Social Services were prepared to present evidence at a hearing in the Cedar County Courthouse on why the embattled school should be shut down. Two former students and a DSS employee who investigated abuse at the school near Stockton were ready to take the stand.



“The office did everything possible to present evidence and witness testimony including that of victims of alleged abuse to prove the pattern of abuse at Agape Boarding School,” said Chris Nuelle, press secretary for the attorney general’s office, who attended the hearing. “The office still intends to present that case at the soonest possible opportunity, and has secured an agreement that allows DSS to continue around the clock monitoring of students at Agape Boarding School.



The AG’s filing Friday also said that multiple people still working at the school are appealing their substantiated findings from DSS that they physically abused students. State law allows the staffers to keep working while they appeal the findings.



Also at the hearing was Agape director Bryan Clemensen, who sat next to Schultz, and several others from the school.



The Kansas City Star has learned that Clemensen is one of those staffers notified by DSS that he had a substantiated report of abuse against him. Sources said that Scott Dumar, the school’s longtime medical coordinator, also is among those appealing a substantiated DSS finding. Dumar is one of five staff members charged last year with physical abuse of students.



Sending Sheriff McCrary to Agape last week to confirm whether the staffer still worked there only intensified the ire against the judge.

That’s because McCrary and his office have numerous connections to Agape — which is overseen by Agape Baptist Church. Several people with ties to the school work for the sheriff’s office, including Deputy Robert Graves, who attended Agape as a student then worked at the school for years, including while he was a deputy. Until recently, he also served on the board of Agape Baptist Church.

…more…

(Judge refusal to let kids testify. Law enforcement ties to Agape. Federal charges.)
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Lawyers spar as Missouri judge again delays closing Agape Boarding School over safety issues (ie phy (Original Post) cbabe Sep 2022 OP
They need to do the right thing. Cracklin Charlie Sep 2022 #1

Cracklin Charlie

(12,904 posts)
1. They need to do the right thing.
Tue Sep 13, 2022, 09:59 AM
Sep 2022

Or the feds are gonna come in there and shut them all down, and send them to the big house.

On second thought, send the feds in!

I’m from Missouri. These nasty guys are begging for their comeuppance. Dark Garland needs to give it to them!

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»True Crime»Lawyers spar as Missouri ...