Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has finalized a settlement with Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers, who had been temporarily removed from his position following accusations of misconduct. The settlement, effective August 19, 2024, resulted in Childers resigning from his role and being stripped of his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. He is now permanently barred from serving in law enforcement within Missouri.
“This outcome is a significant victory for the residents of Ray County,” stated Attorney General Bailey. “The negligent actions of those sworn to protect the community have allowed perpetrators to roam freely. I am proud of the work my team has done to hold such officials accountable, and we will continue to fight for Missourians across the state.”
The lawsuit, filed earlier this year, accused Childers of multiple counts of misconduct, including malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in office. Attorney General Bailey outlined several specific violations:
- Childers unlawfully allowed multiple detainees, including those accused of sexual assault, to leave or be released from the Ray County Jail.
- He publicly stated on social media his intention to use detainees for labor at his home or other businesses.
- Childers permitted released detainees to work on his property and that of friends and acquaintances.
- He allowed detainees to drive vehicles, make purchases at local stores, leave the state, and move freely around Ray County without supervision.
- Childers permitted detainees to bring contraband, including drugs, alcohol, and cell phones, into the jail. This also included weapons, with 20 knives found during a search of the jail.
- He received or accepted benefits in exchange for keeping pretrial detainees in jail.
With the settlement in place, Attorney General Bailey’s office will dismiss the quo warranto action.
The final settlement can be read here.
The petition for quo warranto can be read here.
