Amish retreat leader accused of killing baby, pulling out child’s teeth and trafficking victims
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COOPER COUNTY, Missouri — A man is accused of causing the death of a baby, pulling out a young boy’s teeth, abusing attendees at an Amish and Mennonite retreat, and trafficking victims for forced labor, according to newly filed court documents and a multi-year sheriff’s office investigation.
Sam B. Shetler, 42, operated the Mercy and Truth – Amish and Mennonite Retreat, where investigators say he used his influence within the Amish community to manipulate, control and exploit vulnerable people.
Witnesses told authorities that Shetler made unwanted sexual contact, threatened to kidnap those who tried to leave, forced male victims to work for his private businesses, and required some residents to take up to 80 pills a day.
Several women reported living at the retreat for years, during which they allegedly witnessed Shetler extract a young boy’s teeth.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by KOMU, Shetler also presented himself as a holistic medical practitioner. In one case, he allegedly administered a lavender-oil breathing treatment to a 6-month-old baby who had been sick for several days. The child was later found blue and unresponsive, and an autopsy determined the infant died from pneumonia after suffering from multiple viruses.
The Cooper County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the retreat in March 2026 as part of its long-running investigation, gathering evidence that led prosecutors to file initial charges on March 25. Shetler was arrested the same day and originally charged with two counts of trafficking for the purposes of slavery, involuntary servitude or forced labor, along with first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy. His bond had been set at $100,000 cash or surety.
On April 21, prosecutors revoked his bond and filed additional charges, including another forced-labor trafficking count, four counts of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree involuntary manslaughter, according to KRCG and KOMU.
Shetler has pleaded not guilty to all charges. It is unclear whether he currently has legal representation.
Sheriff Chris Class said investigators have interviewed dozens of witnesses and victims but believe more may be out there. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Cooper County Sheriff’s Office at 660-882-2771.