Former Kanakuk camp officer convicted of sexually abusing boys has been denied parole

Inmate Peter Newman was convicted in 2010 of sexually abusing several boys at the nationally known Christian sports camp, located across Lake Taneycomo from downtown Branson.

Newman was denied parole Monday following a Sept. 25 hearing. The Missouri Department of Corrections says his next parole hearing is expected in September 2029.

In the months leading up to the hearing, critics of Kanaku’s response to child sexual abuse pushed for a denial of parole – with online statements and petition signatures sent to state officials.

Civil lawsuits seeking damages from Newman since his incarceration estimate that the number of possible victims of sexual abuse before his arrest in 2009 includes at least 57 people. Other estimates are significantly higher.

Ozarks Public Radio reached out to Kanakuk officials Wednesday but did not immediately receive a response. The camp has previously stated that Newman “was a master of deception – he deceived not only Kanakuk, but also his friends, neighbors and even his own family.”