Sam Shetler denied bond in Missouri retreat abuse case

A judge in Montgomery County, Missouri, has denied bond for Sam Shetler, the 43-year-old leader of the Mercy & Truth Retreat. The court ruled that the potential danger to witnesses and alleged victims cannot be adequately addressed through any cash or non-cash conditions of release.

Shetler was indicted in May on 10 counts, including kidnapping, trafficking, sexual abuse, and involuntary manslaughter, stemming from his operation of the Amish and Mennonite retreat center in Cooper County. Shetler has pleaded not guilty. Following a prosecutor's request, the case was recently moved from Cooper County to Montgomery County. A case review is scheduled for December 16.