Children's home 'house parents' accused of sexually abusing girls

KTVB
August 17, 2015

http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/17/christian-ranch-sex-abuse-magill/31848993/

Jennifer and Michael Magill

Christian Children's Ranch

EAGLE -- An Eagle couple is facing felony charges after sheriff's officials say they sexually abused two teenage girls in their care.

Michael Paul Magill, 30, and Jennifer Nicole Magill, 32, were house parents at the Christian Children's Ranch on Duck Alley Road in Eagle when the alleged abuse occurred. The victims, a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old, were placed in the Magills' care through that group.

According to the Christian Children's Ranch website, the organization provides homes for at-risk or homeless children. House parents live on the 80-acre ranch and care for up to 10 children at a time "in a loving and structured environment," according to the site.

Sheriff's officials say the Magills, who worked as youth group leaders and camp counselors, may have additional victims.

The couple was arrested Friday night. Both are charged with one count of felony sexual battery of a minor and one count of felony sexual abuse of a child. Neither has a criminal record in Idaho beyond traffic violations.

According to the sheriff's office, the abuse occurred earlier this summer. The Magills worked at the children's ranch for 11 months and are still listed as house parents on the "Leadership Team" page of the group's website, but their photo had been removed as of Monday morning.

An administrator for the Christian Children's Ranch said Monday morning he had been advised not to comment, but said the Magills are no longer employed by the organization.

The investigation began Thursday when officials at the church ranch contacted the sheriff's office after finding out about the abuse from a family member of one of the victims. Detectives searched the Magills' home, interviewed the girls and collected evidence before arresting the house parents.

The couple's two biological children, who lived in the ranch home with the victims, have been taken into the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

According to the sheriff's office, officials at the Christian Children's Ranch have cooperated fully with the investigation. The Magills are due to appear in court Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Detective Shellie Strolberg at 577-3788.