Parents beat son to death during counseling session in church

Bruce and Deborah Leonard were charged for beating their son to death (C)NewHartfordPoliceDepartment

Bruce and Deborah Leonard, 65 and 59 years old, respectively, were charged with manslaughter after beating to death their 19-year-old son Lucas Leonard. Chris Leonard, their 17-year-old younger son, was also allegedly beaten and has been hospitalized with serious injuries. Four other members of the Word of Life Christian Church, New York including the siblings’ sister, Sarah Ferguson, 33 were charged with assault. They are David Morey, 26, of Utica; Linda Morey, 54, of Utica; and Joseph Irwin, 26, who lives in the church building.
New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra said Wednesday that both Lucas and Christopher Leonard were subjected to hours of physical punishment at the church  "in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness."
The six church members were arraigned Tuesday and sent to Oneida County Jail. At the arraignment, it was revealed that both teens suffered injuries to their abdomens, genitals, backs and thighs. Bail for the Leonards was set at $100,000 each and for the four other defendants at $50,000 each. All pleaded not guilty. Police said more arrests were expected as the investigation continues. A possible motive wasn't disclosed.

The six members of the church charged for the crime  (C)NewHartfordPoliceDepartment

A neighbor of the teenage brothers says they were not allowed to do "normal" kid things. Nicole Howard says Christopher and Lucas Leonard weren't allowed to have sleepovers. The 31-year-old, who says grew up six houses away from the Leonards, says the family was very religious and the children were forced to read the Bible two hours each day.

The Word of Life Christian Church were the incident took place

The investigation began at about 12:30 p.m. Monday when family members brought Lucas Leonard to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators determined that the Word of Life Church was the scene of the death, and the building was surrounded by special operations teams from state and local police agencies. Police eventually entered the church, a three-story brick building on a residential street that originally housed a school. Several church members were interviewed, and several children were turned over to child welfare officials.
It took time to find Christopher inside the church, according to officials. He was on the second floor and was not making himself known. Family members did not say where he was.
The Times also uncovered some seedy details about the Word of Life church, which had a reputation as a cultish institution even before the killing. According to police, the congregation had 40 to 50 members, some of whom who lived in the three-story converted schoolhouse it used as a headquarters.