Judge Eases Mo. Private School Order

The Associated Press/November 16, 2001

Hannibal, Mo. -- A federal judge Friday eased his order prohibiting juvenile officers from removing students from a school where employees are suspected of child abuse.

The order had been issued in early November after 115 students were taken from Heartland Christian Academy.

Authorities said the mass removal was necessary for the safety of the children, while Heartland insisted its tough-love, strict discipline approach was not child abuse.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber said juvenile officers can remove individuals in certain circumstances from Heartland, but cannot remove large numbers of students as they did Oct. 30.

The judge said his revised order will remain in place until he makes a final ruling on whether authorities must get federal court approval before removing any student.

``It will stop the raids, which we're grateful for,'' said the Rev. Charles Sharpe, founder of Heartland. ``We just want to be able to take care of the students without government agencies coming in and raiding our kids.''

In June, five Heartland workers were charged with abuse for forcing misbehaving youngsters into manure pits as a form of punishment. In August, four workers were accused of excessive paddling of a 16-year-old student. Two of those workers were also charged in the manure pit case.

A staff member was also accused of striking an unruly 13-year-old boy in the ear, causing the eardrum to burst.

The children removed from the school in October were taken to juvenile centers and then returned to their parents. Three days later, after a court hearing, most returned to school.

The youngsters live on the Heartland campus, about 150 miles north of St. Louis. Another 125 or so students are from the area or are relatives of Heartland staffers.