The indictment documents allege physical abuse, including Boyd Householder’s use of restraints when he pushed his knee into the back of several victims, forcing victims to maintain the push-up position, hitting the victims’s bodies or heads against the wall and hitting or hitting victims with their hands or belts or other things.
Boyd Householder is also accused of putting a victim’s face in horse dung and pouring hot sauce on another victim’s throat, court documents show.
“Today, my office has filed a total of 102 criminal charges against Boyd and Stephanie Householder, owners of the now defunct Circle of Hope Girls Ranch and Boarding School. The prosecution documents allege extensive and horrible sexual, physical and mental abuse by Householders.” , said Schmitt in the statement. “My office has been working tirelessly to investigate this case and will continue to work around the clock to ensure that justice is obtained in this case.”
Schmitt’s office says the investigators used forensic interviews, statements and extensive documentation that was confiscated from the Circle of Hope property to “bring together the extent and extent of the abuse” that was supposed to have happened there.
Both parliamentarians pleaded not guilty in their first presentation on Wednesday. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17, court records show.
CNN was unable to determine whether Householders have legal representation. Both the Missouri Public Defenders’ office and a lawyer previously hired for them said they did not represent them.
CNN contacted the AG’s office for more information about its legal representation and a sworn statement.
“They are angry and bitter, and they want to blame someone,” Stephanie Householder told The Star in September about the students. “They feel like victims and just want to take their anger out on someone.”
Schmitt’s office is still looking to identify and contact the victims.