Dear Missouri State Government Officials,

Agape Boarding School in Stockton, MO needs to be investigated and the laws in your state regarding the treatment of children and who is allowed to operate institutions that house children and by what standards they may operate needs to be reviewed and amended. It is clear that Agape Boarding School and the Clemenson's family that runs the school found a safe haven in Missouri after being shutdown in both Washington and California for child abuse. There should be state records. I ask you that they be reviewed.

My name is Brett Harper. I'm 33. My neurologists I've spoken with, surgeon, and spine care team all agree that my sciatica, spinal stenosis, bulging and herniated discs that required me to have a lamenectomy discectomy on my L5 done was because of child abuse and neglect. During my stay at Agape numerous times I complained of my back pain but they did nothing. In fact work crews where we carried large boulders, logs, cleared whole fields were frequent. Several staff members stomped on my back while I was doing push-ups or would apply weight there and tell me to straighten my back. It is clear according to numerous medical professionals that they caused this injury which has plagued me for 14 years, still causes me disc pain, and caused me to have to get a surgery on my spine at 33.

I have PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and abandonment and social anxiety, all with roots to the trauma I experienced and witnessed at this horrific place. During this time they also seemed to have people who tipped them off before inspections and they would make us clean the place extra well before them. It was ridiculous. They often said they wouldn't comply with any regulations put on them and boasted about some problems with state or fed authorities and how they were able to overcome their objections because they are a private school.

This school physically, mentally, verbally abuses children daily. They are brainwashed. They aren't allowed contact with the outside world and they keep them sheltered from things like newspapers or TV. They do not allow religious freedom or LGBTQ. They are bigots, homophobic, hateful towards other religions besides the Independent Fundamental Baptists brand of Christianity. They frequently remind students you do not have any rights as a child and treat you like property.

Please investigate current and past stories of abuse. There are links on this petition to a group I have setup to help investigate and shutdown abusive schools including Agape. There are screenshots of testimonies about Agape and related Roloff homes. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, Brett Harper, maker of this petition brettwilliamharper@gmail.com. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter of grave importance. Please, for the children, before they end up like me, take a closer look.