During a clergy-led church mediation session Sunday, two parents beat their 19-year old son, Lucas Leonard. Family members eventually took the young man to the hospital where he died Monday afternoon. The relatives lied, saying Lucas got shot. His 17-year old brother Christopher also received violent physical abuse from the parents’ fellow parishioners at Word of Life Church. Hit the jump for more.

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Bruce Leonard, 65, and Deborah Leonard, 59, plead not guilty to murder after being held on $100,000 bail each. Sarah Ferguson, 33, the victims’ sister, and fellow church members Linda Morey, 54, David Morey, 26, and Joseph Irwin, 26, all also face charges and $50,000 bail each.

Chief of New Hartford Police Michael Inserra reported, “Both brothers were continually subjected to physical punishment over the course of several hours in the hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness.”

While Lucas received transport to the hospital to die, Christopher remained stashed in the three-story, red brick church. Oneida County Child Protective Services found him after police arrived, simultaneously removed several other children from the church.

Additional charges are in the process of being filed. Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said he doubts the parents will actually get sentenced for murder.

Neighbors say the church (west of Albany) always drew curiosity, but no one ever asked questions. Currently, the information discovered portrays it as more of a cult than a religious center.

It used to be a schoolhouse. “Kids used to ride by on bikes in the summer and yell: ‘Don’t go in! You’ll never come out!’ ” said Lynn Laventure, 52, whose parents live across the street. “It’s always been a mystery.”

Source: NY Times