Prosecutor: Church ranch house parents played sexual 'Truth or Dare' with teens

By Katie Terhune
KTVB
August 17, 2015

http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/17/magill-church-ranch-sex-abuse/31887209/

Jennifer Nicole Magill and Michael Magill

BOISE -- An Eagle couple accused of sexually abusing minors placed in their care through a program for at-risk children made their first court appearance Monday afternoon.

Michael and Jennifer Nicole Magill both face charges of sexual battery on a minor and sexual abuse of a child. The Magills were "house parents" at Christian Children's Ranch on Duck Alley Road. An administrator said Monday morning the pair was no longer employed by the organization.

Deputy Prosecutor Lucy Juarez said the couple engaged their teenage victims in sexual games of Truth or Dare. The Magills are accused of inappropriately touching the girls - a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old - multiple times over the summer, at least once in front of other children at the home.

At one point, Jennifer Magill encouraged the 17-year-old victim to perform a sex act on Michael Magill, Juarez said.

The 14-year-old victim told someone she was being abused Aug. 11. After the allegations were reported to officials at the church ranch, they called the Ada County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office says the Christian Children's Ranch has cooperated fully with investigators.

Detectives are investigating whether the couple has additional victims. In addition to the "house parents" position, the Magills also worked with children as youth group leaders and camp counselors. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Shellie Strolberg at 208-577-3788.

Both Magills asked Judge Terry McDaniel to appoint a public defender to represent them, noting they were no longer receiving income.

"As of this event, I am no longer employed," Jennifer Magill told the judge, who agreed to appoint the public lawyer.

Juarez recommended the bond be set at $500,000 for each of the defendants, calling the facts of the case "pretty appalling." The defense attorney for the couple asked McDaniel to set bond much lower, pointing out the Magills' lack of a criminal history.

But McDaniel ultimately sided with the prosecutor and set a $500,000 for both, citing his concerns for the minors involved and the safety of the community.

Both Magills were also ordered not to contact the victims or go to the children's ranch. Their own two biological children, who were living on the ranch alongside the teens, have been taken into the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

The Magills are due back in court Aug. 31.