Mike Parson

Overview

Missouri Republican Governor Mike Parson presided over a state that allowed Agape Boarding School — a Christian boarding school in Cedar County — to operate for decades despite extensive abuse allegations. Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office publicly criticized the local Cedar County prosecutor for charging only 5 staff members with 13 counts when the AG’s team had urged 22 staffers face dozens of charges.

Description

Governor Parson directed Attorney General Eric Schmitt to assist Cedar County authorities investigating Agape Boarding School and signed legislation in 2021 that, for the first time, subjected religious boarding schools in Missouri to state oversight. However, in the end only 5 Agape staff were charged with a total of 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — far short of the 22-staffer prosecution package the AG’s office had urged based on dozens of documented instances of abuse, including more serious offenses. Attorney General Schmitt publicly criticized Cedar County Prosecutor Ty Gaither for ‘not seeking justice’ and asked Parson to remove him from the case. A Cedar County judge ordered Agape shut down in September 2022 after years of sexual and physical abuse allegations, though the closure was briefly paused pending a hearing. Former students described what The Daily Beast called a ‘Christian torture compound.’