Judge denies bond for ‘cult-like’ Amish leader now charged with child’s homicide

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cooper County judge denied bond for the leader of a “cult-like” Amish community after new charges, including manslaughter, were filed against him this week.

will make his first appearance in court Tuesday, one day after seven new charges were filed, including manslaughter in the 2025 death of an infant.

Sam Shetler, 42, of Boonville, appeared Tuesday in front of Judge Keith Bail after the new charges were added for a previously scheduled bond reduction hearing. Bail oped against reducing Shetler's $100,000 bond.

Shetler has been held in the Cooper County Jail since his arrest last month. His lawyer had asked for a $50,000 bond, but Judge Keith Michael Bail denied that request after a statement from the victims was read.

Shetler is now charged with three counts of trafficking for forced labor, first-degree sodomy, first-degree sex abuse, four counts of kidnapping and one count of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. He was originally arrested and charged last month. The additional charges were filed on Monday.

Five new victims from the Amish community came forward to speak with investigators following Shetler's arrest after a years-long investigation into an Amish Mennonite retreat run by Shetler, authorities allege.

Witnesses allegedly say Shetler discouraged the parents of a 6-month-old baby from getting medical help at a hospital.

According to court documents, a deputy learned from the baby's parents that the child had been sick since March 2, 2025,  and was having breathing issues and had “turned blue.” The parents brought the baby to Shetler, who allegedly identified as a “holistic doctor.”

Shetler allegedly gave a “lavender breathing treatment” that the parents gave to the baby, but the baby was not responsive on March 6, 2025. A biology virus report indicated the baby had multiple viruses, including COVID-19.