Purler Wrestling Accused Of Failing To Protect Teen Camper In Lincoln County Lawsuit

MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. — Purler Wrestling, one of the nation's most recognizable youth wrestling organizations, is facing a lawsuit that accuses the camp of failing to protect a teenage camper who was allegedly sexually assaulted during a summer camp held in Lincoln County.

Filed Thursday in Lincoln County Circuit Court, the lawsuit alleges the organization failed not only to provide a safe environment for campers but also failed to respond appropriately after the reported assault.

The lawsuit centers on events that allegedly occurred during a 2024 summer wrestling camp at the Purler Wrestling facility in Moscow Mills. The company has not yet publicly responded to the allegations contained in the lawsuit.

According to the petition, a 15-year-old Michigan boy traveled to Missouri in June 2024 to attend Purler Wrestling's summer camp in Moscow Mills. The family alleges the teen was sexually assaulted by several other campers after returning to his cabin one evening and immediately reported what had happened to camp staff.

The lawsuit argues the organization's failures extended far beyond the alleged assault itself.

According to the petition, camp owner Nick Purler met with the teenager after the report was made but did not immediately notify his parents, seek emergency medical attention or promptly contact law enforcement. The lawsuit further alleges the teen was questioned about the incident, recorded without his knowledge and encouraged to minimize what had occurred before his parents were eventually informed.

The petition states law enforcement later became involved, and the teenager was taken to a Child Advocacy Center for an interview.

Beyond the reported assault, the lawsuit alleges Purler Wrestling failed to adequately supervise campers, failed to properly assign cabin arrangements, failed to properly train staff to recognize and respond to signs of sexual abuse, failed to preserve evidence and failed to implement reasonable safeguards designed to protect children attending the camp.

Coverage supported by Carter Family Chiropractic.

The family also alleges the organization failed to properly investigate previous reports of similar misconduct and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent future incidents involving campers.

As a result of those alleged failures, the lawsuit states the teenager suffered serious emotional injuries, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other lasting emotional harm.

The family is seeking damages in excess of $25,000, along with court costs and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

Lincoln CountyWatch contacted Nick Purler seeking comment on the lawsuit before publication. An immediate response was not received. This article will be updated if a response is received.

The allegations summarized in this article are contained in a civil lawsuit filed in Lincoln County Circuit Court. They represent the claims of the plaintiff, which have not been proven in court. Purler Wrestling will have the opportunity to respond through the legal process.

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Story by: John Eads

Primary Sources

• Civil Petition filed in Lincoln County Circuit Court

• Lincoln County Circuit Court records

• Lincoln CountyWatch review of the court filing

• Request for comment sent by Lincoln CountyWatch to Nick Purler/Purler Wrestling

• Any response received from Purler Wrestling