Disturbing allegations rise in new suit against Circle of Hope Girls Ranch

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Another lawsuit has been filed against operators and staff of Circle of Hope Girls Ranch.

“It’s hard to know what to say, this lawsuit. I would caution you, it’s pretty alarming. It’s pretty upsetting,” David Clohessy said.

Members of SNAP (Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests) gathered outside of the federal courthouse in Springfield, speaking about a civil suit filed this week.

“It was filed yesterday in Kansas City. It will be heard, however, down here in Springfield,” Clohessy said. “Almost every kind of torture and mistreatment and maltreatment of kids that you have ever heard of went on at these facilities, and again, it makes for some pretty, pretty grim reading. I know this teenager, this young woman who’s filing as Jane Doe. I’ve met her. I’ve talked with her. I have to say, I am deeply, deeply grateful to her for her strength and courage and I’m impressed as I can possibly be by her courage and strength and her determination.”

The suit lists Boyd and Stephanie Householder, as well as Jeffrey Ables as defendants pertaining to their roles at Circle of Hope, the Householders as founders and Ables as a former director.

Clohessy says Ables is currently a pastor in the Springfield area.

“Several students have reported that he’s physically been present at the school. At least two students have reported in litigation that they personally told him about the experiences, the abuse they were suffering at the school, and he did little or nothing. What makes today’s suit, I think really noteworthy and remarkable is that he’s now accused of actually obstructing an investigation and hiding literally hiding children in his basement who he knew were to be questioned by state officials with DCFS,” Clohessy said. “You ask about proof. We’re very confident that those allegations are absolutely are going to be proven in depositions and discovery and hopefully trial, and we think he should resign or be fired because of his role.”

In the suit, Jane Doe alleges that she was taken to Circle of Hope from a children’s home in Mississippi in 2019.

Upon arrival, she claims there was a system of shirts, where each color had a meaning, where students in yellow and black shirts could be given punishments, and where those in green or purple shirts were in leadership roles.

She goes on to say many students could be zip-tied or handcuffed as a form of restraint and says in her first month, she was not allowed to talk to her adoptive or biological parents or attend any schooling.

The lawsuit says many girls were denied feminine hygiene products and were forced to use toilet paper instead.

Doe says the punishments became more severe after an interaction with Boyd Householder when he held her on his lap, and in fear of more abuse, she headbutted Householder.

Those punishments included an altercation when Doe alleges Householder shoved her face in animal manure while pulling weeds, and on another occasion, accuses Householder of shoving her face in mulch and putting a sock into her mouth before spraying her with a hose, comparing it to ‘waterboarding’.

The suit says Boyd Householder called the family dog, Duchess, a ‘good girl’ for biting the teen in the face.

Accusations in the suit claim both Householders would put Wasabi paste in the girl’s mouth and cheeks as punishment.

Doe says she personally witnessed girls force-fed until they vomited, and then forced to eat their vomit.

“She was at this facility, Circle of Hope Girls Ranch when she was 13 years old, just five years ago. She’s now only 18,” Clohessy said. “I can’t tell you how incredibly rare it is for an 18-year-old boy or girl to have the maturity and the courage and strength to report people who are sadists and predators.”

Boyd Householder died in June 2024, months before his criminal trial on charges of abuse.

“A lot of victims who were at Circle of Hope and Agape felt very frustrated and still feel frustrated that Boyd Householder passed away before he could face justice. Frankly, there is not a delicate way to say it, but there is an upside. Obviously, he can no longer hurt any children and I think a number of survivors do feel a degree of relief about that fact,” Cholessy said.

Stephanie Householder will stand trial next month for her charges.

“The attorney general told us several months ago that there is going to be no plea deal. So there will be a trial in October in Stockton and hopefully, she will face the justice that that she deserves.” Cholessy said.

Other speakers at the conference say it’s important to support survivors and pursue justice.

“What every survivor needs is that person who says, ‘Absolutely, I believe you, and what can I do to help or to be with you and to support,'” Robin Craig said.

“What is important [is] that the accusations are investigated and if found guilty, tried with the full extent of the law and justice, justice for the accused and for the accuser,” Tim Bartin said.

“We hope, of course, that the filing of this lawsuit will help bring this teenager closer to some healing and some closure,” Cholessy said. “We also hope that it will inspire others who were abused or are being abused at these largely unregulated facilities to come forward and get some help.”

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