Connect with us

Missouri

Abuse at a Missouri Christian camp lasted decades, but a new bill would only help some victims

Published

on

Abuse at a Missouri Christian camp lasted decades, but a new bill would only help some victims


Victims of abuse at one of the largest Christian camps in the country are backing a Missouri bill that would allow older adult victims to seek legal action. But even an expanded statute of limitations would likely leave out victims who are now too old to sue under state law.

HB 1617 would add 10 years to the existing statute of limitations, allowing victims to file lawsuits until they reach age 41. The bill was passed out of the state House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 27.

“It would give them more time to work through their own pain and suffering,” said Bobby Thrasher, an attorney for a former Kanakuk camper abused by counselor Pete Newman.

After his arrest in 2009, Newman admitted to sexually abusing more than a dozen campers at the Branson-based summer camp. Prosecutors argued the number is likely far higher. Under current Missouri law, those victims must take legal action before they turn 31.

Advertisement

For many victims abused as children, that’s not enough time. Thrasher’s client, who was abused by Newman from 2005 to 2008, is now in his late 20s. The bill would give victims like him additional years “before re-traumatizing themselves and trying to bring a lawsuit against an organization — or re-face the perpetrator themselves,” Thrasher said.

But as uncovered by journalist Nancy French, accounts of abuse at Kanakuk go back decades, meaning some victims are already over 31. In one case, almost 40 years has passed since former Kanakuk camper Jody Jones was abused by a counselor named Chuck Price in 1985. Jones was 8 years old at the time.

“They let him pack his bags and walked out the door. But there was no investigation. There was no police report,” she told St. Louis on the Air in 2022, describing what happened after she alerted the camp to the abuse in 1990.

Thrasher, the attorney, said that while limited, the proposed bill is an important step, though there would be no retroactivity.

“We would have to amend the state constitution. There’s more steps involved,” Thrasher said. “It just becomes a bigger fight in order to get a law like that.”

Advertisement

Not all victims of abuse can be described as survivors. Elizabeth Phillips’ brother, Trey Carlock, was abused by Newman as a camper at Kanakuk. As an adult, Carlock took his own life at age 29. His family chose to disclose his abuse in his obituary, naming Kanakuk in the process.

“Because we were public about his abuse in that obituary, other families began reaching out and sharing their stories,” Phillips said. “And it became this mini ‘Me Too’ movement around Kankuk victims connecting for the first time.

Along with Thrasher, journalist Nancy French joined Monday’s St. Louis on the Air to share her insights from her investigations into Kanakuk and to discuss what’s happened since her 2021 reporting revealed evidence that the camp had ignored warnings about Newman and other counselors.

“I have heard a gigantic collective shrug of the shoulders from the American church,” French said. “I thought that if I could prove even a fraction of what I’ve speculated about this camp, that it would be a bombshell in the evangelical church — that they would react vociferously and with righteous indignation. Instead, people have not responded in the way that I anticipated. It’s almost like evangelical Christians can believe that Catholics have a sex abuse problem, but not them.”

To hear the full discussion with attorney Bobby Thrasher and journalist Nancy French, listen to St. Louis on the Air on Apple Podcast, Spotify or Google Podcast or by clicking the play button below.

Advertisement

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Roshae Hemmings is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr. Send questions and comments about this story to talk@stlpr.org.

Copyright 2024 St. Louis Public Radio. To see more, visit St. Louis Public Radio.





Source link

Advertisement

Missouri

Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman

Published

on

Judge denies Missouri AG’s bid to immediately halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman


A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.

The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.

“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.

Advertisement

Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose.

Her office also submitted an FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and states health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.

American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.

Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now have an “enormous” demand, particularly among people who need pain management.

Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling on Friday.

Advertisement

McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.

“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties’ respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”

The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.

Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.

The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year, similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.

Advertisement

“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday.

“Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”



Source link

Continue Reading

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for May 10, 2026

Published

on


The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 7-2-5

Midday Wild: 7

Advertisement

Evening: 9-6-8

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 10 drawing

Midday: 7-1-9-9

Midday Wild: 1

Advertisement

Evening: 6-9-8-9

Evening Wild: 2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 10 drawing

Early Bird: 02

Morning: 11

Advertisement

Matinee: 10

Prime Time: 12

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 10 drawing

09-18-23-31-39

Advertisement

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Advertisement

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

Advertisement

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
  • Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
  • Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Continue Reading

Missouri

Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71

Published

on

Missouri Highway Patrol: 3 killed in fiery head-on crash on Highway 71


BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. (KCTV) – A head-on collision on Highway 71 killed 3 people and seriously injured a 4th, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

State Troopers say the crash happened around 1:25 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, near the intersection of Highway 71 and 170th St. – about a mile and a half north of Burlington Junction.

Investigators say a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 59-year-old woman from Carthage, Texas, was heading north on the highway when it crossed the centerline.

FILE(Ken Price, KCTV5)

The Chevrolet struck a southbound 2026 Ford Explorer head-on, according to MSHP. Both vehicles caught fire and came to rest in the southbound lane.

Advertisement

State Troopers note that the crash killed the Texas driver, a 67-year-old woman from Harlan, Iowa and a 76-year-old woman from Rockwell City, Iowa.

The Ford’s driver – a 72-year-old man from Rockwell City – was airlifted to Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, with serious injuries, according to first responders.

Troopers say all four people involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending