A disturbing case out of Missouri is sending shockwaves after an Amish retreat leader was accused of horrific abuse — including the death of a baby and years of alleged manipulation and control over vulnerable followers.
Authorities say 42-year-old Sam Shetler was arrested in March following a years-long investigation into his leadership at the Mercy and Truth Amish and Mennonite Retreat in Cooper County.
According to investigators, the retreat was allegedly run like a tightly controlled operation, where Shetler used his position to manipulate and coerce people for his own benefit.
Officials claim he presented himself as a kind of holistic healer — but that role is now at the center of some of the most troubling allegations.
Court documents say Shetler allegedly treated a sick 6-month-old baby using lavender oil in a diffuser, claiming it would help the child breathe. After instructing the parents to continue the treatment, the baby was put down for a nap.
About an hour later, the parents reportedly found the infant unresponsive and turning blue. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later revealed the baby had multiple viruses and died from pneumonia.
But that’s just one piece of a much larger and deeply disturbing case.
Several women have come forward with allegations of abuse. One woman claims Shetler made unwanted sexual advances and threatened to kidnap her if she tried to leave.
Others who lived at the retreat say they witnessed shocking acts, including Shetler allegedly pulling out a young boy’s teeth and forcing men to work in his businesses against their will.
Some also claim they were made to take extreme amounts of pills — as many as 80 a day.
Investigators say Shetler’s actions showed a “gross deviation” from any reasonable standard of care, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals and children.
He was initially charged with forced labor trafficking and first-degree sodomy, but prosecutors have since expanded the case.
New charges now include additional counts of trafficking, multiple kidnapping charges, sexual abuse, and involuntary manslaughter.
Shetler has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His bond has been revoked, and he remains in custody as the case moves forward.