Director of Agape Boarding School Brian Clemensen has been given a temporary restraining order by a Cole County Circuit Court judge, barring the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services from adding his name to their Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect.
Since the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board does not hold evidentiary hearings, Clemensen is also asking for a new trial in the case in conjunction with the interim restraining order. This order was issued on November 23, 2022, and is set to expire on December 8, 2022, unless the judge chooses to do an extension.
If a new trial is permitted, it could potentially take months to gather all evidence and witnesses that would partake in the hearing.
In February 2021, Clemensen allegedly reported an employee’s possible mistreatment of a student to the Children’s Division, which prompted the authorities to launch an investigation into the entire school. The petition continues by alleging that all 121 pupils were interviewed by “untrained professionals” with the Missouri State Highway Patrol “in an unlawful and wrongful search” so that the Children’s Division could assert that abuse or neglect was occurring.
Several other current and previous employees of Agape Boarding School have been added to the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry since May 2022 and will likely continue as evidence is proven.
Legal Options For Boarding School Child Abuse Survivors
Abuse Guardians offer us some legal analysis of the current inquiry into the heinous abuse claims. Ryan Frazier, the managing attorney, has a wealth of expertise defending the rights of children subjected to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Here are some questions Laurence Banville posed to Mr. Frazier, who kindly gave us his legal opinion regarding the allegations of abuse at Agape.
Laurence Banville: Do other survivors have time to make accusations against the boarding school?
Mr. Frazier: Depending on where the claimed abuse and neglect occurred, different states have different statutes of limitations, so it’s advisable to contact a local law firm to learn about the laws in your jurisdiction.
Laurence Banville: What rights do the victims of child abuse and neglect have in light of the accusations made against the Christian reform school right now?
Mr. Frazier: Schools are legally accountable for safeguarding the safety of students on campus. Boarding schools have a higher level of responsibility because the children are watched over continuously. Students who have experienced trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, have a right to pursue action against the accountable person or institution that failed in its responsibility to protect them.
Learn More In A Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was a victim of abuse at a boarding school, we encourage you to come forward so we can help you get the justice you deserve. Contact your local authorities and then a local attorney who can guide you through the procedure if you need to report child abuse or neglect. For more information on boarding school sexual abuse, visit this page: https://abuseguardian.com/sexual-assault-lawyer/missouri/boarding-school-abuse-mo/
Sources:
Abuse Guardian for Missouri and Kansas
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