A nearly three month investigation by Kentucky State Police has resulted in the indictment and arrest of three Ohio County residents for alleged abuse that took place at a Dundee boarding school.
On Thursday, troopers arrested the founder of Pilgrims Rest School, 52-year-old Kelly R. Vanderkooi as well as 28-year-old Johnathan V. Vanderkooi and 27-year-old Amanda Vanderkooi, all of Dundee.
The school is also known as Pilgrims Rest Ministry of Reconciliation.
Kelly Vanderkooi was charged with 21 counts of first-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under) and 10 counts of fourth-degree assault (child abuse); Johnathan Vanderkooi was charged with eight counts of first-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under) and three counts of fourth-degree assault (child abuse); and Amanda Vanderkooi was charged with first-degree sexual abuse.
The latest state police investigation into activities at the unlicensed school began in October 2022 after an inquiry by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). KSP’s findings were presented to an Ohio County Grand Jury which returned indictments on 43 charges.
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reports the school was previously investigated by state police and DCBS in 2011, 2012 and 2020 but no charges were filed.
The school was originally located in Laurel County before moving to Ohio County in the mid-2000s.
The three suspects were lodged in the Ohio County Detention Center on $50,000 cash bonds.
(Photo l-r: Kelly Vanderkooi, Johnathan Vanderkooi, Amanda Vanderkooi)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
