RANDOLPH COUNTY, ARKANSAS: Former residents of an Arkansas children's medical center run by Ted Suhl, a felon Donald Trump pardoned, have alleged "systematic and widespread" abuse at the now-closed facility.
The lawsuit, filed by Romanucci & Blandin and Gillispie Law Firm on Monday, November 6, stated that children aged ten to 17 were "were regularly abused physically, psychologically, and sexually" at the Lord's Ranch that closed in 2016 after Suhl was convicted in a federal bribery scheme.
The case was filed by eight former residents, but attorneys claim they are still awaiting complaints from over thirty other alleged victims.
In the lawsuit, Suhl and "several" other unidentified staff members are accused of covering up the alleged abuse, with former counselor Emmett Presley being listed as a perpetrator.
Suhl is a prominent local businessman who operated the facility until it was closed in 2016 as a result of his conviction for bribing a state official to get Medicaid funds for his enterprises.
He was sentenced to seven years in jail but Trump granted him clemency at the request of former US Attorney Bud Cummins and former Governor Mike Huckabee.
What are the allegations against Ted Suhl?
The Lord's Ranch, later known as Trinity Behavioral Health, was opened in the remote Ozark foothills by Suhl's father Bud Suhl in 1976.
It was founded as a faith-based medical and mental health treatment facility for boys between the ages of seven and seventeen, many of whom had histories of trauma or criminal activity.
However, one of the claimants, who has chosen to remain nameless, said higher-ups at the facility 'allowed' staff to 'prey' on patients.
“As a young boy, I was targeted by my pedophile psychiatrist based on my history of sexual abuse experiences as a child," he said, according to Daily Mail, adding, "These experiences were used against me as a tool by him to sexually victimize me further.”
He claimed that when he tried to speak up about the abuse, he was told 'Stop lying' and 'If you're going to make this an issue you're going to deal with severe consequences'.
Those accused of covering up the alleged abuse included Suhl, his wife Shirley, and pastor Alonza Jiles, who is currently a member of the Arkansas Board of Corrections.
The lawsuit claims that the trio was “fully aware that Emmett Presley habitually raped and sexually molested minor males” and “made an intentional, fully conscious decision to allow Presley, their Director of Social Services, to rape and sexually molest male children under their care”.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants did not even attempt to assist the children under their care; instead, they resorted to physical abuse, intimidation, and threats in order to quiet the numerous youngsters who came forward and denounced Presley over the years.
Another plaintiff, who lived at the Lord's Ranch from 1991 to 1996, similarly testified of how he reported allegations of abuse by Presley to Ted Suhl and Bud but was instructed 'never to disclose' what he had said or else he would not be allowed to leave.
“All of this has been a huge burden on my shoulders for the last 30-plus years. I finally feel that this burden has lifted the shame,” he continued.
How did Ted Suhl react to the allegations?
Michael Scotti, an attorney for the Suhl family, vehemently denied all allegations, stating that the employees strictly followed regulations to safeguard the children.
"So the record is clear, the Suhl Family categorically denies each and every allegation of wrongful conduct alleged in the Complaint,” he told the Arkansas Times.
“The Lord’s Ranch and its employees strictly followed all applicable regulations safeguarding children under their care. The complaint will be vigorously defended in Court and the Suhl’s are confident that each and every one of the claims will be soundly defeated,” Scotti continued.
