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

By: Jazsmin Halliburton, Matthew Sanders

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.

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.

The decision comes one day after seven new charges were filed, including manslaughter in the 2025 death of an infant.

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.