Missouri lawmakers call for Agape Boarding School shutdown with court case pending
JEFFERSON CITY — Lawmakers from both parties in the Missouri legislature are calling for Agape Boarding School to be shut down, as the case aiming to shutter the Stockton school facing allegations of student abuse stalls in court.
"I refuse to turn a blind eye!" wrote Speaker of the House Rob Vescovo, an Arnold Republican, on Twitter. "We must stand and defend those who have been victimized and make every effort to prevent this "school" from creating more victims. We must #ShutDownAgape."
His post comes after a letter he sent to federal prosecutors last week asking them to pursue an investigation and charges against Agape. A new Cedar County judge in the pending state case has set a preliminary hearing for October, and ordered workers from the Department of Social Services' Children's Division to be able to access the campus.
Vescovo was joined by his counterpart across the aisle, Springfield Democrat and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, who wrote, "This isn't partisan. It's past time."
A number of other members shared Vescovo's post, adding their own demands and commentary. "I couldn't agree more," wrote Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican. Rep. Jered Taylor, a Nixa Republican, wrote that Agape "has been allowed to continue to operate because of the good ole' boys club that exists." Rep. Keri Ingle, a Lee's Summit Democrat, said "it is past time. Children are in danger now."
An attorney for Agape did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.
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The combined outcry by members in both parties marks a turning point in the years-long effort by advocates and former students to raise awareness and take action to shut down Agape.
Legislation has also been filed seeking to require religious boarding schools to be licensed in Missouri by Rep. Sarah Unsicker, a Shrewsbury Democrat; she held a press conference Thursday morning touting the bill, which is unlikely to see movement under the current narrowly defined special session.
Last year, Attorney General Eric Schmitt's office recommended 65 criminal counts against 22 individuals; Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither later filed 13 low-level charges against five individuals. The two camps had publicly disputed over how to pursue the case, and Schmitt's office had asked Gov. Mike Parson to be taken off the case due to Gaither's actions.
Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com, (573) 219-7440 or on Twitter @galenbacharier.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri lawmakers call for Agape Boarding School to be shut down
