BRANSON (MO)
Baptist News Global [Jacksonville FL]
January 23, 2025
By Mallory Challis
A Missouri judge ruled in favor of Kanakuk Kamps Jan. 17, stifling a claim by an abused camper that leaders of the Christian camp for children committed fraud and civil conspiracy against Logan Yandell.
This is a rare win for the embattled organization that still operates today with the same leadership despite multiple lawsuits and a raft of documented cases of abuse.
In the latest action, Christian County Judge Raymond M. Gross dismissed claims of fraud and civil conspiracy in the Yandell v. Kanakuk lawsuit.
Yandell suffered abuse at the hands of serial child sex abuser Peter Newman. The Yandell family previously settled with Kanakuk after Newman’s initial confession in 2009, but Yandell now alleges Kanakuk Kamps and its insurance company intentionally concealed pertinent information about the situation that may have caused the family not to induce a settlement.
In November, attorneys for Kanakuk presented arguments for summary judgment in their client’s favor. Yandell’s attorneys argued he didn’t become aware of the extent of Newman’s abuse until years later when he was an adult in 2021. Kanakuk’s attorneys counterargued Yandell should have had access to knowledge as early as 2009, when Newman confessed to the abuse, even though Yandell was still a minor at the time.
Judge Gross decided to dismiss Yandell’s claims and side with Kanakuk. He ruled the claims in Yandell’s lawsuit are “time-barred” and “cannot establish actionable fraud or civil conspiracy” against Kanakuk and other defendants.
However, Yandell’s attorneys at Monsees and Mayer law firm gave this statement to BNG: “With all due respect to the court, we disagree with the findings. There has been no dispute that Logan was abused, that Joe White lied to his parents, inducing the settlement they agreed to, or that ACE Insurance sent the letter threatening to deny coverage if Kanakuk told the truth to thousands of families. We intend to seek appropriate relief through the court of appeals and continue fighting on Logan’s behalf.”
Yandell is not the only survivor who feels defrauded by the camp. Another survivor, 37-year-old Andrew Summersett, is currently in the process of suing the camp, arguing in his lawsuit that Kanakuk officials instructed him to “back off” and not “make a mess of this” when he disclosed his experiences of abuse by Newman.
Additionally, sources from the Facts About Kanakuk website — a site dedicated to telling survivors’ stories and advocating against abuse — told BNG last year they had received tips from more than 200 survivors or sources against “about 60 unique sources from 1985 to today.” Some survivors and former campers told BNG they no longer believed in God because of the extreme extent of sexual abuse that occurred at camp to themselves or their peers.
Many survivors say they felt restricted from telling their stories because settlements with the camp required they signed Non-Disclosure Agreements.
In general, many survivors say they felt restricted from telling their stories because settlements with the camp required they sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. They know of at least 17 survivor suicides related to sexual abuse at the camp.
On of those was Trey Carlock, who died by suicide in 2019. Unable to tell his story under the restrictions of his NDA, the effects of PTSD related to his experiences of abuse at Kanakuk silenced him to his grave, his family says.
His sister, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, is now a victim advocate for Kanakuk survivors. In response to the judge’s recent decision in the Yandell v. Kanakuk case, she told BNG: “Judge Gross’ opinion is extremely disappointing given the evidence. I anticipate Logan’s case will proceed in court with an appeal, and I continue to believe and stand with him and his family. Kanakuk’s actions cost my brother his life and stole his voice, so I will not rest until everyone responsible for the cover up of abuse, fraud and silencing of survivors is brought to justice.”
In contrast, Kanakuk Kamps responded to the judge’s dismissal with claims that their focus “has always been” on supporting victims of abuse at their institution. In a statement to the Springfield News-Leader, they called the decision “bittersweet” and said they were “relieved by the outcome,” yet “remain devastated by the pain endured by victims of Pete Newman’s heinous crimes.”
Despite many survivors feeling silenced by the camp’s treatment of them and their families, Kanakuk continued, “Throughout this process, we have maintained our commitment to transparency and truth, and our support for the right of all victims to share their story in pursuit of healing. Our focus has always been — and will continue to be — on supporting victims’ healing and ensuring the safety of every child in our care.”
Related articles:
Judge to decide if Yandell v. Kanakuk suit is within statute of limitations
Yandell v. Kanakuk lawsuit amended to include civil conspiracy claims
Motions to dismiss conspiracy charges in Yandell v. Kanakuk denied
Kanakuk sex abuser Pete Newman denied parole