Missouri boarding school owner couple charged with more than 100 allegations of abuse

Boyd and Stephanie Householder face more than 100 charges of sexual, physical and emotional abuse that allegedly took place at their Missouri religious boarding school.

Officials charged Boyd Householder with 80 offenses, including several second-degree rape and legal sodomy offenses. Charges against his wife range from abuse to endangering the welfare of a child.

“With 16 victims so far, we believe this is one of the most widespread cases of patterns of sexual, physical and mental abuse against girls and young women in Missouri history,” said Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt. “As a father of two young girls, it’s just unthinkable for me.”

Since 2006, homeowners have been operating and operating the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Cedar County, a Christian school that they say could be reformed by rebellious teens.

Authorities removed all the girls from the facility last year and the facility has since been closed. Several girls have since described their alleged abuses on social media.

The owners ’daughter, Amanda, said she believes the victims.

“I kept getting messages from random girls I didn’t even know, telling me the same thing,” she said. “I do believe them.”

In a recent interview with the Kansas City Star, the owners described the allegations against them as “all lies” and called their accusers “furious” and “bitter.”

The ranch closed in September.