One person has been charged after a parent reported to RCMP in May that their child was hit with a belt at a private school in northern Alberta. According to RCMP, the child had bruising and red marks across his thigh. A search warrant was executed at the school and a belt from a machine and related documentation were seized. The investigation also revealed that the practice of disciplining students with the “strap” was being used at Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School and Tompkins Mennonite School, as per their collective constitution, which had been given to and signed by the parents. “We want the public to understand that these forms of corporal punishments are criminal offences and will be treated as such,” said Cpl. Scott Coleman in a news release. “We have made the Alberta Ministry of Education and Childcare aware of this investigation in order to prevent further harm to children.” RCMP say the educators at these schools are not accredited teachers and are considered adults supervising children. As a result of the investigation, school supervisor Eva Bueckert, 37, of Cleardale, Alta., was charged with assault with a weapon. She will appear in court in Fort Vermillion on Aug. 11. Fort Vermillion is about 660 kilometres north of Edmonton.
