A now-closed Missouri school, Wings of Faith Academy, found its way into the Jeffrey Epstein files, the Missouri Independent reported Thursday.
Ann Rodriquez, an island manager for Mr. Epstein, sent an email asking for recommendations for a boarding school for her daughter back in 2018. Mr. Epstein answered recommending schools in Orlando, San Diego, and Wings of Faith. She ultimately chose a school in Mississippi.
The Independent says Wings of Faith was accused by former students of physical and psychological abuse. It operated alongside Agape Ranch, a boys school which has also been closed. The accusations of abuse are so numerous that there is a law firm, Monsees & Mayer, which specializes in filing personal injury and sexual abuse lawsuits. It has filed over 70 cases against Agape Ranch alone.
In one case, the Independent says, one victim was taken from her room and kidnapped by a man she didn’t know and taken to Wings of Faith after her mother enrolled her there. The father, who was living in Ukraine, did not find out for months.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Opinion -- State Mental Health Waitlist Going from Bad to Worse
By the Missouri ACLU, MacArthur Justice Center, and ArchCity Defenders
Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, seeking intervention from the court to compel the Missouri Department of Mental Health to remedy the ongoing harm from failing its legal duties to provide treatment to people living with serious mental illness and disabilities during pretrial detention after having been deemed incompetent to stand trial or awaiting an evaluation of their competency. The motion was filed in an existing case, Darrington, et al. v. DMH, et al., which was brought in Western District’s Central Division by the ACLU of Missouri, ArchCity Defenders, and the MacArthur Justice Center in November 2025.
DMH and the state have failed to respond reasonably and adequately in the face of the worsening waitlist problem. Despite the department’s admission before the Missouri House Committee on Health on February 5, 2024, that the waitlist for competency evaluation and restoration would grow beyond the 297 individuals at that time, Director Valerie Huhn declined to ask for adequate fiscal appropriations to mitigate the growing crisis. As the situation deteriorated further and the waitlist ballooned to over 500 individuals, Governor Mike Kehoe proposed a meager increase in the 2027 fiscal budget for only 50 additional individuals to be treated in community-based programs.
The ACLU of Missouri, ArchCity Defenders, and MacArthur Justice Center issued the following statement:
“These extended wait times are a direct result of DMH’s failure to follow the law. Worse, the situation is rapidly deteriorating. In just three years, the average wait time has doubled from an already unacceptable and illegal duration. In some instances, people are unconstitutionally held in a detention center while waiting to receive treatment for a longer period of time than the maximum sentence available for the crimes alleged. The court must intervene and order DMH to remedy this crisis.”
While average wait times for evaluation and restoration treatment have surged, so have the waitlists for these services. In 2013, the waitlist to enter a facility for restorative treatment was ten names long. In July 2023, the number had risen to 252, a twenty-five-fold increase. By September 2025, the average number was 492, nearly doubling in a two-year span. In January 2026, the waitlist reached an all-time high: 528 people had been found incompetent to stand trial and were on a waitlist for restoration services, while another 200 individuals were waiting to be evaluated in the first instance.
Plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction requiring Defendants to file a detailed proposal for complying with the terms of the injunctive order within 21 days of the order indicating their plan to:
—Ensure that DMH completes all currently pending court-ordered capacity evaluations for all Plaintiffs still on the waitlist within 60 days of the order;
—Ensure that all future court-ordered capacity evaluations are completed within 60 days of a judicial order directing such evaluations;
—Ensure that the defendants provide mental health services and competency restoration treatment to all relevant individuals within a constitutionally appropriate time, not to exceed 30 days, following a commitment order, said treatment to be provided either in a DMH facility or another suitable and the most integrated setting possible (e.g., in a hospital or community-based treatment center) and, in any event, not in a jail setting.
This requested relief is necessary and narrowly tailored to remedy the ongoing violation of Plaintiffs’ rights while more comprehensive and sustained solutions are developed in this litigation.
In support of their motion, the plaintiffs provided preliminary reports by two experts. Dr. Terry Kupers, a board-certified psychiatrist, Institute Professor Emeritus at the Wright Institute, Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an expert on correctional mental health issues, discussed in his declaration the harmful effects of long waits in jail on individuals like the six named plaintiffs. A second expert declaration was provided by three nationally-renowned forensic psychologists, and provided a critical analysis of the current state of Missouri’s competence evaluation and restoration system. That declaration also details certain best practices for managing competency evaluation and restoration systems–information which might shine a light on a path forward for the state.
Worth County JH/High School Honor Roll
HIGH HONOR ROLL
Seniors — Jace Cameron, Alyssa Clarkson, Brayden Combs, Katie Fletchall, Wyatt Hill, Brayden Murphy, Conner Pointer, Riley Ridge, Eric Ritchie, Marissa Schmitz, Bailey Steele, Brayden Stevens, Sawyer Thurman.
Juniors — Kambree Briner, Bo Collins, Evalyn Gilland, Addison Gray, Keira Hardy, Krista Monticue, Caleb New, Sumer Riley, Hayden Sanders, Ryder Smyser, Kristen Tracy.
Sophomores — Unique Brown, Braelyn Fletchall, JoLynn Hawk, Liam Hayden, Lola Morin, Breeanna Ray, Audrey Runde, Megan Tracy.
Freshmen — Brock Healy, Kassidy Joslin, Brooke Monticue, Kennedy Murphy.
8th Grade — Hudson Cameron, Heather Deardorff, Kaydence Downing, Jarrett Gilland, Karleigh Guinn, Jane Hawk, Paige Hubbard, Catelynn Moyer, Brecklyn Rush, Hadley Rush.
7th Grade — Tatum Allee, Kaeslyn Briner, Zoey Briner, Ilene Combs, Kylie Combs, Kinley Fletchall, Renae Gladstone, Jolee Hauber, Gabbey Maudlin, Aria Oberhauser, Alexis Snead.
REGULAR HONOR ROLL
Seniors — Andrew Griffin, Matthew Ray, Rylee Ruckman, Reed Smyser.
Juniors — Brandon Bever, Jessie Chapman, Sara Fletchall, Ethan Lininger, Alivia Moyer, Cole Ruby, Dylan Smith, Emsley Spainhower.
Sophomores — Dale Deardorff.
Freshmen — Bella Blankenship, Conner Chapman, Jordan Dannar, Kenzie Dignan, Tucker Fletchall, Camden Gray, Brianna Riley, Haley Russell, Gracie Thurman.
8th Grade — Briella Benson, Silas Brown, Cole Hardy, Weston Hill, Londyn Maudlin, Lane Pickering, Jaydon Roush, Brooklyn Smith, Gunnar Smith.
Seventh Grade — Emmett Frisch, Mason Gray, Jace Mullock, Luca Sagel, Kynlee Wymore.
Worth County Elementary Honor Roll
HIGH HONOR ROLL
4th Grade — Cora Davidson, Oliver Lovan, Colbie Seipel.
5th Grade — Addison Cass, Emerlee Clarkson, Sophia Combs, Riley Dignan, Elley Maudlin, Sutton Patrick.
6th Grade — Desmond Dannar, Hadley Downing.
REGULAR HONOR ROLL
4th Grade — Madison Collins, Calvin Combs, Leah Combs, Emily Dannar, Kellan Dannar, Adella Davidson, Gracee Frisch, Eva Porter, Kash Winther.
5th Grade — Kade Adams, Lillia Hall, Robby Helt Jr., Maverick O’Grady, Luke Riley, Alaina Roush, Riggin Smyser.
6th Grade — Cree Blankenship, Chase Davidson, Maebry Escobar, Gwyn Healy, Mason Hern, Elsie Jenkins, Kyah Joslin, Troop Larison, Grayson Mullock, Coy Pickering, Jarrett Rush.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Pre-K — Bobbie Fleetwood.
Kindergarten — Kiley Badell.
1st Grade — James Cass, Landon Combs, Kanyin Dillard, Lucas Hill, Savanna Hill, Declan Mullock, Shawn Porter.
2nd Grade — Piper Green, Brentley Troutwine.
3rd Grade — Henry Cass, Nolan Gilland, Randi Harker-Zinn, Finn Sherer, Mason Steele.
4th Grade—Leah Combs.
5th Grade — Sophia Combs, Sutton Patrick.
6th Grade — Maebry Escobar, Mason Hern, Elsie Jenkins, Keylee Smith.
Worth County Names Carl Parman as New Principal
The Worth County School Board, at their meeting Monday, March 16th, named Carl Parman as its new High School Principal effective July 1st, 2026. He replaces Josh Smith, who will become the Superintendent at North Harrison. He previously served as a PE teacher, Head Boys Basketball Coach, and Assistant Football Coach at South Shelby. He was formerly a weights teacher at Hiawatha Senior High, a summer intern at Tnemec, received a master’s degree at Northwest, and studied Health and PE at Hannibal-LaGrange and Peru State. He is a graduate of Pattonsburg.
Mr. Parman is married to Kristina (Bliley) Parman, who is a graduate of Jefferson and is a sister of Tiffany Bliley, who taught and coached at Worth County for several years. Ms. Parman teaches Ag at Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center.
The board also hired Marissa Escobar as an Elementary teacher for the 2026-27 school year.
The school evaluated the District Programs as “Above Average.” Strengths listed included the fact that the school has purchased elementary reading series, purchased new government textbooks, and the fact that the school aligns curriculum regularly to Missouri Priority Learning Standards. Concerns listed including the fact that new staff needs time to become familiar with new curriculum. Recommendations include continuing to update curriculum on a scheduled basis, providing time and resources to allow teachers to align it to state standards, and review textbook surveys from staff.
The board approved the salary schedule, with a base salary of $40,000 and a minimum salary of $47,000 for teachers with a Master’s Degree and 10 years of experience. The board also set non-certified pay scales and extra duty pay for the 26-27 school year and approved $550 monthly contributions towards the district health plan.
Elementary Principal Amber Hawk reported that registration and screenings for Pre-K and Kindergarten will be April 16th and 17th this year.
There are 14 students on the wait list for Preschool in the 2026-27 school year. The school estimates there will be 21 Kindergarten students next year.
The Worth County PTO delivered Sonic drinks to the elementary and high school on Parent/Teacher Conference day.
Members of the Grant City Lions Club came to the school to do eye screening for PK and first grade students.
Nicki Tracy put together Title I Family Night for the school. Families enjoyed spaghetti and alfredo with garlic toast and tea or lemonade. After supper, families went around to different classrooms and enjoyed playing games together as families or with other families.
The school received a donation of socks and shoes in various sizes.
Psalm 100 Ministries donated books to the Worth County Parents as Teachers program. They donated everything on the PAT’s wishlist.
Students dressed up for Dr. Seuss Week and the school featured readers that week.
The Family & Consumer Science class came to teach each elementary class about nutrition.
High School Principal Josh Smith reported on what students were studying. Biology I students are studying how natural selection works. Physical Science students are studying the properties of matter. Elementary PE students are working on activities with parachutes.
The freshmen won the February Attendance Challenge with an attendance rate of 95.44%. They were followed by the seventh grade and the juniors.
Students volunteered at the Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry on March 2nd. Caleb New, Jarrett Gilland, Hadley Rush, and Emmett Frisch qualified for the State Math Contest.
Activities Director Cree Beverlin reported that a new leg curl/leg extension was purchased for the weight room.
There are 12 boys and 6 girls out for varsity track. There are 14 boys and 25 girls out for junior high track. There are four playing baseball with Northeast Nodaway, and nine out for boys golf.
Seven softball Tigers made the Academic All-State Team for 2025. They were Kennedy Murphy, Audrey Runde, Megan Tracy, Riley Ridge, Kambree Briner, Addison Gray, and Kristen Tracy. The Tigers also made the squad as a team with a combined GPA of 3.65.
Opinion -- Resignation Letter by Joseph Kent
By Joseph Kent, Director, National Counterterrorism Center
President Trump,
After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.
I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.
I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.
In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Soleimani and by defeating ISIS.
Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.
As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.
I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.
It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.
Joseph Kent
Director, National Counterterrorism
Center
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