Charges dropped vs. 2 Christian boarding school staffers; SNAP responds

For immediate release: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Couple accused of abuse walks free

Husband & wife headed Christian boarding school

Charges dropped but victims believe more may be filed

They were arrested six months ago after kids ran away

Several civil lawsuits against them have also been filed

A Missouri couple who was arrested last spring have been freed from jail, but abuse victims hope other charges will soon be filed against them.

Larry and Carmen Musgrave, owners of Lighthouse Christian Academy in Piedmont, Missouri, had been charged with first-degree kidnapping after an ex-student told authorities she was "held against her will."  The school was run by ABM Ministries.

In numerous civil lawsuits, the Musgraves – and other Lighthouse staffers – were accused of a range of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Most of those cases are pending.


"While I am disappointed with the court’s ruling in regards to the charges in which I was the victim, I will always be grateful for the closure this process has brought me personally. Being able to talk about my experience and feel heard was what I needed. Knowing that I did everything I knew how to do to prevent this from happening again is enough for me," said Julianna Davis, who now lives in Alabama. "I hope even though the outcome of these specific charges isn’t what we wanted, I hope my story gives hope to anyone else affected by the troubled teen industry. Hopefully the changes that will eventually come from this will be broad and long-lasting. Thank you specifically to Sgt. Carson and Sheriff Finch for listening and doing everything in their power to help us as well."

"I’m deeply disturbed by the final ruling. It’s frustrating to see these two walk away without facing the consequences they deserve," said Deborah Brownell who lives in Florida. "Until we hold people like this accountable, the cycle of abuse will continue. Our legal system should be protecting the vulnerable—not letting those responsible walk free."

"Hearing the news that the charges have been dropped against the Musgraves set me in a bit of a spiral. It’s devastating that two individuals who have caused so much pain, neglect, abuse and who have brought so much evil into the lives of myself and my friends are able to walk free from this," said Michael McCarthy who now lives in Washington state. "While I can’t say I’ve been super confident in our justice system, I was hopeful that this would allow some of us to heal. I am truly devastated. There should not be a statute of limitations on child abuse and kidnapping."

"It’s a devastating concept that people who have caused so much damage can walk away free of consequences," said Aralysa Baker, who now lives in Oklahoma. "We were told as students that no one was going to help us, that no one cared and that no one would believe us. It honestly hurts that the justice system has once again proved this to be true. I can only hope that justice will eventually prevail."

"It's sickening that charges have been dropped against the Musgraves, even if it's just temporary. Scores of kids have suffered immeasurably at the school they ran and this news will only compound the deep pain so many still feel," said David Clohessy of SNAP. "We desperately hope that the prosecutor will work hard and move quickly to prosecute these egregious wrongdoers on more charges, so they can be convicted and kept away from vulnerable children in the future."

Another former staff member, Julio Sandoval, worked at both Lighthouse and at Agape Boarding School in Stockton. In August of 2022, he was arrested on federal charges of violating a protective order issued at the request of a student. Sandoval was accused of taking the student against his will and transporting him from California to Missouri in 2021. Sandoval was working as dean of students at Agape at the time. That case is pending.

His Julio Sandoval's son, Caleb Sandoval, was recently sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading guilty to Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child at Lighthouse. (State v. Caleb Sandoval, Case #24WY-CR00156-01)

CONTACT:  David Clohessy, SNAP Missouri ([email protected], 314-566-9790), Melanie Sakoda, SNAP Survivor Support Director ([email protected], 925-708-6175), Shaun Dougherty, SNAP Interim Executive Director ([email protected], 814-341-8386)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 35 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

SNAP Network is a GuideStar Gold Participant