The Circle of Hope Girls' Ranch and Boarding School, a private Christian-based institution in Humansville, Missouri, is now at the center of multiple lawsuits alleging severe abuse. Boyd and Stephanie Householder, the former owners and operators, face over 100 combined charges of abuse.
Boyd Householder, 72, has been charged with 78 felony counts and one misdemeanor, including statutory rape, sodomy, and child neglect. His wife, Stephanie, faces 22 felony counts related to child abuse and endangerment. The alleged incidents occurred between 2017 and 2020, though some former students claim the abuse began when the school opened in 2006.
The ranch, which operated from 2006 to 2020, marketed itself as a safe haven for troubled girls to strengthen their faith and learn obedience. Parents signed contracts committing their daughters, aged 5 to 17, to a minimum two-year stay. Amanda Householder, the estranged daughter of the owners, has filed a lawsuit against her parents, the institution, and associated entities. She used social media to encourage other victims to speak out, leading to an investigation and the school's eventual closure.
Read more: Missouri Religious School Faces New Abuse Allegations, Highlighting Need for Stronger Oversight
Former students describe a harsh, boot camp-like environment where every aspect of their lives is controlled. Allegations include food and water deprivation as punishment, physical "restraints," and constant monitoring of private activities. The school's lack of accreditation also made it difficult for students to transfer to other institutions. The case has highlighted the need for stricter oversight of private religious schools, which have historically operated with minimal regulation. New laws are being proposed to close loopholes that allow such institutions to evade scrutiny.
