They ride in on motorcycles sporting biker jackets but they aren’t a gang. They go by aliases or “road names” as they call them to help protect their identity. Their mission, to support victims of child abuse and allow them to feel confident and safe.
"The people who abuse children are scared of us. The kids who are abused love us because they know our hearts. They know that we're there for them. So, we can look rough and tough and it keeps people at bay."
That’s J.C., the Treasurer of Warsaw Missouri's chapter of the Guardians of the Children describing what they are about. They sport biker jackets and ride into court on their choppers: a motorcycle club with a cause. They arrive to escort the victims of child abuse during their day at court and stick with them long after.
"We follow them through when we're made aware of the abuse all the way until they turn 18 or graduate high school whichever is later."
They aren’t local. There is no St. Louis chapter. They made the trip from Warsaw, Missouri to St. Louis to support the victim of a rape case that was sentenced earlier this week in the Eastern District of Missouri and was described as the most egregious case the prosecutors have seen. This case is the furthest these guardians have travelled to support a child.
"When we told the chapter about it they all said 'Let's Go", "Let's do it", "Let's go take care of this kid." J.C. tells KMOX.
Chapter President Shepherd says after cases such as Wednesday’s are over, they stick by the child’s side no matter what they need. And give them the chance to join their cause.
The mother of the victim in Wednesday’s rape sentencing, Lyndsay Humann, says it's an honor to have them supporting her daughter.
"They have been a blessing to our family. We live in Iowa so we are several hours away and we don't have a chapter near us."
They require donations to be able to support child abuse victims. If you’d like to contribute, J.C. says you can go to their website or their facebook page.