ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The trial over a northeast Missouri Christian school's federal lawsuit challenging a 2001 state raid is under way in St. Louis.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Heartland Christian Academy opened the trial Tuesday by claiming that state officials violated its rights when it removed all but five of the 120 students living on campus at the time.
Back then, the state cited concerns over child abuse related to the school's disciplinary methods. Three days later, a judge allowed the children to return, and Heartland along with some parents and students sued.
In 2004, a federal judge barred future removals from the school unless students were deemed in imminent danger, a ruling later upheld on appeal.
Heartland Academy continues to operate and enrolls about 225 students.
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