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The owners of a Christian boarding school in Missouri are jailed and charged with kidnapping crimes

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2 years ago

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The owners of a Christian boarding school in Missouri are jailed and charged with kidnapping crimes


PIEDMONT, Mo. (AP) – The husband and wife owners of a Missouri boarding school for boys have been jailed and charged with felony crimes after a lengthy investigation by a county sheriff.

Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch said in a news release that Larry Musgraves Jr., 57, was arrested Friday evening on the ABM Ministries campus in Piedmont, a small town 130 miles south of St. Louis. Carmen Musgraves, 64, was arrested around 3 a.m. Saturday, when she came to the jail to check on her husband, Finch said.

Both have been charged with first-degree kidnapping and jailed without bond. The Musgraves do not yet have listed attorneys. A phone message was left Monday with ABM Ministries, the latest Christian boarding school in Missouri to face legal scrutiny.

ABM Ministries’ website says its facility, operated as Lighthouse Christian Academy, is a private Christian boarding school for boys ages 10-13, situated on 250 acres that include a spring-fed pond and a pasture with animals. On average, it has around 40 students, the website says. The website claims success in helping boys who are troubled, learning-impaired or dealing with ADHD or other disorders.

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Finch said that since early January, his office has received reports of five runaways from the school. In one instance, two boys were picked up by a neighboring resident and taken home. The boys asked her to call 911.

But Finch said his investigation began several months ago after he was contacted by a former student living in Alabama. He followed up by interviewing other former students, and eventually the current students.

The news release didn’t explain why the Musgraves were charged with kidnapping but said the sheriff’s department “anticipates more charges as the investigation continues, with more alleged victims coming forward.” Finch didn’t immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking additional information.

All five boys who had run away since January have been returned to their homes, the Kansas City Star reported.

The school was coed in 2009 when a federal lawsuit accused a former principal of sex acts with a female student and alleged that the Musgraves failed to take action to protect the girl. Court records show that ABM Ministries and the Musgraves agreed to pay $750,000 in a settlement, and the principal agreed to pay $100,000.

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In 2023, Agape Boarding School in Stockton, Missouri, closed after years of investigations, lawsuits and eventually criminal charges that followed abuse allegations. One former student alleged he was raped and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.

Allegations of abuse at Agape and at the nearby Circle of Hope Girls’ Ranch prompted a state law in 2021 requiring stricter rules for such facilities. Missouri previously had virtually no oversight for religious boarding schools.

In 2021, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Those cases are still pending.

Former students at ABM Ministries said justice was long overdue. Juliana Davis, now 34, said she was abused at the school in 2006 and 2007.

“I’m glad that he took us seriously,” Davis said of Finch. “There’s a whole group of us that have been trying for decades, speaking out about what happened to us and what we saw.”

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Another former student, Aralysa Baker, 31, recalled being put in a chokehold and having her head held underwater when she was a student from 2005 to 2007.

“I never thought in a million years that charges would ever be brought,” Baker said. “We just wanted the school shut down and the kids sent home.”

To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com

Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.



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Missouri

MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested

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7 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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MSHP: 221 pounds of marijuana seized in Missouri traffic stop, woman arrested


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a 29-year-old woman after seizing over 200 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.

ALSO READ: Investigation into Missouri kratom retailers expands, says AG

According to the MSHP, troopers stopped a vehicle for a registration violation and following too closely on EB I-70 in Montgomery County, Mo., on Thursday, December 11. Authorities then searched the vehicle, finding 221 pounds of marijuana.

According to an MSHP report, 29-year-old Briana A. Roberts was taken into custody and held in the Montgomery County Jail for 24 hours. She could be charged with trafficking drugs in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, according to the report.

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No further information has been released.

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.



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What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?

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19 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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What’s open on Christmas in mid-Missouri?


Some mid-Missouri stores and restaurants will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. KOMU 8 News has compiled a list of what’s open on Christmas in 2025.

If you don’t see your establishment listed, please email news@komu.com with your operating hours.

Stores

Walgreens – East Broadway, Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Store open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Store open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., pharmacy closed

Walmart

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Target – Columbia

Target – Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Aldi

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Dollar General

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Dollar Tree

  • Christmas Eve: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Gerbes

  • Christmas Eve: Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Hy-Vee

  • Christmas Eve: Store open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pharmacy open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Moser’s Food

Sam’s Club

  • Christmas Eve: Store and pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Schnuck’s

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Restaurants and Coffee Shops

IHOP

  • Christmas Eve: Open 12 a.m. to 7p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed, opens next day at 5 a.m.

Waffle House

7Brew

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Scooter’s

  • Christmas Eve: Open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Starbucks – Broadway & Fairview in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Starbucks – Missouri Boulevard & U.S. 50 in Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Starbucks – Nifong & Buttonwood in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed

Starbucks – West Truman & Country Club in Jefferson City

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Christmas Day: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Starbucks – Ninth Street in Columbia

  • Christmas Eve: Open 5 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Christmas Day: Closed



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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to $1,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State

Published

2 days ago

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December 11, 2025

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BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500: Get a 20% first deposit match up to ,500 for Missouri vs. Alabama State


You can get in on Missouri sports betting with a BetMGM welcome offer for college basketball on Thursday.

BetMGM Bonus code NYPDM1500 gets bettors a 20 percent first deposit match up to $1500 when in Missouri.

Mizzou is a 22.5-point favorite over Alabama State. The Tigers step back onto its home floor looking to reset after road losses to Notre Dame and Kansas. Alabama State has struggled mightily against high-major opponents.

BetMGM Missouri bonus code NYPDM1500

The BetMGM Bonus Code NYPDM1500 can be used for any sport and market offered at BetMGM. That includes Missouri State vs. Arkansas State in the Xbox Bowl.

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BetMGM’s Missouri promo code is considered one of the highest valued promotions in contrast to other Missouri bonus offers.

If bettors wanted to snag the maximum value of the offer, they would have to deposit $7,500. Otherwise, they get 20 percent of whatever they deposit, i.e., deposit $100, get $20.

New users must be physically present in Missouri when signing up at BetMGM to take advantage of this welcome offer.

How to sign up for BetMGM in Missouri

  1. Select your bonus offer.
  2. Choose your state.
  3. Fill out your login details.
  4. Enter the BetMGM bonus code NYPDM1500
  5. Make a deposit.
  6. Bet responsibly.

What our Post expert thinks about Missouri vs. Alabama State

Alabama State has already dropped its two power-conference tests by an average of 32.5 points, and its defensive profile hasn’t suggested much resistance.

The Hornets bring two of the SWAC’s top scorers in Asjon Anderson and Micah Simpson, they are giving up 81.4 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot 45.3 percent from the floor. 

Missouri’s rebounding edge should matter — the Tigers pull nearly 40 boards per game while Alabama State is giving up 37.4 a night and just surrendered 18 offensive rebounds to UT Martin.

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Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See BetMGM.com for Terms. 21+ only. MO Only. New Customer Offer (If applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. Please gamble responsibly.

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.



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