Local Authorities Rescue 27 Children from Montana Religious Boarding School "Ranch for Kids"
A sense of relief has fallen on those who attended Ranch For Kids in Rexford, Montana after local authorities were able to close down the school.
On July 23, 2019, twenty-seven children were rescued from a religious boarding school, Ranch For Kids in Rexford, Montana. The rescue mission took place after a bill passed to unravel the Private Alternative Adolescent Residential Program (PAARP) and hand over control back to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Previously, the state was not allowed to monitor or have authority with programs that had a religious affiliation. According to the Missoulian, Senator Sands said "I'm profoundly moved that we've been able to get those children who have been through so much out of that place and somewhere where they are safe and where their needs are going to get taken care of," who carried the legislation that moved oversight of programs to DPHHS.
What is Ranch for Kids? 
The Ranch For Kids in Montana marketed itself as a happy treatment facility program where adopted children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and other behavior disorders could receive therapy to help with living a fulfilled life. Many children were sent here because they did not develop a healthy relationship with their caregiver/parent, had delayed development, learning disabilities, and showed erratic aggressive behavior. The parents of these children trusted that the Ranch For Kids program would benefit their child and ultimately their family dynamic. For many families, this seemed like their only option. Over the past year, the truth about what has gone on at Ranch for Kids has come to light.
How Did Ranch For Kids Stay Open So Long?
Issues with Ranch For Kids started bubbling up 20 years ago when kids started making allegations that they were being abused and parents were noticing that their children came home in worse shape than when they left. The 2007 legislation that allowed them to go unchecked created the Private Alternative Adolescent Residential Program (PAARP) board, which did not have a religious basis. Despite having their license suspended multiple times over the past 10 years for basic inspection failures, Ranch For Kids has been able to outsmart the system to keep its doors open. Come 2019, Ranch for Kids was no longer able to hide from the mounting allegations of abuse and neglect. A phone call tipped off the Department of Health and Safety Services accusing the staff and leadership team of Ranch For Kids of abuse and neglect. That tip along with the passing of the bill 2 days prior allowed law enforcement to go in and rescue the 27 children that were currently attending aged 11- 17 years old.
What Do The Children Who Attended Say About the Abuse Accusations?
Over the past year, Pandora's box has now been opened. The children who attended are telling their stories of abuse, neglect, assault, malnourishment, and mistreatment. Shocking accounts include stories of being locked in closets for days with only a bucket, being given very little food, being hit, kicked, spit on, being shot with a nail gun, and working for hours on end digging up holes or cleaning the houses of staff members. These allegations of abuse have told accounts of staff members abusing children incessantly sexually, mentally, and physically.
What Can I Do To Help Put A Stop To Child Abuse at Boarding Schools?
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse and neglect from attending Ranch For Kids we want to help you. We focus on child abuse cases and we know how hard it can be to talk about the trauma you experienced. We want you to know that you are not alone. We are here for you and we will walk you through each and every step of the process. The first step you can take is to reach out to us.
We understand how sensitive this matter is and the importance of confidentiality on the matter. Our team is trained and prepared to answer your questions to better help you get the justice you rightly deserve. We know that the neglect you experienced can be hard to talk about and we understand that abuse will have lasting effects for the rest of your life. The Button Law Firm wants you to know that we are here to listen to you, to help you, and to fight for you.
The second thing you can do is to share your story. We want to give you a platform and a voice where you can be heard. A place where you can help stop this from happening to anyone else.
The Button Law Firm currently represents several children and families and we want to help you as well. Our team will walk you through each step of the process and we will not let you face this alone. You can call us on this secure number and speak with one of our intake specialists or if you would prefer to communicate through email fill out the form below. Again, we understand that what you and your family have experienced is unimaginable. We want to help you, please call us at (406) 282-8994 or reach out to us online today.