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Hi - I’m Ryan. I am licensed to practice in Missouri and have dedicated my career to helping survivors of child sexual abuse get justice.
Call my team today, and we will work our hardest to ensure your truth is told.
Abuse Guardian has been following the breaking news of alleged abuses at the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School.
We encourage survivors to come forward in confidence and to allow our team of boarding school abuse lawyers to help obtain the justice you deserve.
A mission statement of the organization says they 'Strive to help each child to become a god honoring and parent honoring young person; to be an honest, hard working asset to the community in which they will live with God's help.' The school, located in Humansville, Missouri, was opened in July 2006 by Boyd and Stephanie Householder. The ranch housed 20-30 youth residents throughout each year.
In recent months, the depths of the alleged abuse happening at Circle of Hope Girls Ranch has come to light. One of the major contributors to abuse coming to the surface, and the eventual closing of the boarding school cam from a social media campaign on TikTok.
Missouri as a state has little regulation in private boarding schools and even when abuse was alleged previously, there was little the state could do because they had no authority over operations. The attention, over 33 million views, the TikTok account received helped serve as a platform for past students to share their experiences.
Learn more from our Missouri sex abuse lawyers: https://abuseguardian.com/sexual-assault-lawyer/missouri/
After the viral TikTok campaign, the State Department of Social Services opened an ongoing investigation and in August 2020, it removed two dozen girls. With this removal, the ranch was effectively closed and the owners have not reopened the school. Their website is no longer accessible and the Google Maps listing, Yelp listing and other sites list it as permanently closed.
Some of the abuse shared during the social media campaign include stories of rape, emotional, physical, religious and sexual abuse, overuse of restraints and not enough access to food.
Looking for more information on filing a lawsuit? Visit our page on the ongoing Agape Boarding School Lawsuit.
In September 2020, a lawsuit was filed by two women requesting anonymity. In their lawsuit, Jane Doe (1) alleges the owners of the ranch physically abused her, used restraints for over an hour and that their son had raped and sexually abused her, over the course of her stay for several months in 2014 and 2015.
Jane Doe (2) alleges sexual assault and rape by Boyd Householder over the course of 6 months after her arrival in 2015.
A federal lawsuit filed against the now-closed Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Missouri has brought renewed attention to the issue of abuse in religious boarding schools. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of an 18-year-old former student, alleges severe mistreatment, including physical abuse and forced servitude, during her time at the facility. This case is part of a larger pattern, with Circle of Hope facing at least 26 lawsuits since 2020, and similar allegations emerging against other religious schools in the state.
The owners, Stephanie and Boyd Householder, were charged with over 100 abuse-related felonies in 2021, though Boyd has since passed away. The lawsuit and subsequent demonstrations by survivors have intensified calls for increased state oversight of religious schools in Missouri, where current regulations are minimal. As the legal proceedings unfold, advocates hope these actions will lead to stronger protections for vulnerable children and accountability for those responsible for abuse.
The now-closed Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Missouri faces multiple lawsuits alleging severe abuse and mistreatment of former students. At least 26 lawsuits have been filed since 2020, with a recent federal suit detailing disturbing claims of physical abuse, forced servitude, and harassment. The school's owners, Stephanie and Boyd Householder, were charged with over 100 abuse-related felonies in 2021, though Boyd has since passed away. Stephanie Householder is set to face trial later this year on 21 felony charges. The cases have sparked calls for increased state oversight of religious schools in Missouri, where current regulations are minimal. Survivors and advocates are pushing for justice, transparency, and stronger protections for vulnerable youth in similar institutions.
Read more: https://abuseguardian.com/survivors-of-circle-of-hope-abuse-lawsuit-calls-for-trial-in-missouri/
If you or someone you love is suffering from similar abuse, neglect ans sexual assault, contact our attorneys today to learn your legal options. We believe you. We want your voice to be heard and your voice can help others afraid to step forward.
Learn about a similar Missouri case: Watkins Mill Park School Child Abuse Investigation
