Father Beats Son to Death in Word of Life Christian Church Session
Father Pleads Guilty of Beating Son After Wanting to Leave Word of Life Christian Church
A 19-year-old teen died after being severely beaten for more than 14 hours in two days at the hands of his father and other Word of Life Christian Church members.
The teen, along with his younger brother, was reportedly punished after it was revealed that they had plans to leave the church. The father has pleaded guilty for taking part in the physical assault and will testify against others that were accused.
Nathan Ames, former Word of Life Christian Church member, told People Magazine, "Normal churches are not like this. This is not what a real church is. It's sad that people see this and think that's what church is. I think it's a cult simply because mind control was used, and because the Irwins made claims that they were the only way to heaven. People believed that."
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Son Beaten to Death in Two Days, Younger Brother Injured
Bruce Leonard, 66, father of the 19-year-old Lucas Leonard, who was beaten to death has pleaded guilty to first and second-degree assault for taking part in beating his son. Lucas and his younger brother Christopher Leonard were beaten in the torso and genitals.
The counseling session asked for the boys to "confess" their wrongdoings. When the boys confessed their intention to leave the church, authorities said that they were reportedly whipped for over 14 hours in a span of two days.
A member of the church claimed that the 19-year-old teen had molested children, thus, the punishment. However, there was no supporting evidence for the claim and the defendant nor the prosecutors confirmed it. Witchcraft may also have been mentioned during the beating.
Bruce allegedly beat the boys using an electric cord during the session. When Lucas was brought to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. The medical provider who attended the boys initially thought that Lucas was shot while Christopher sustained serious injuries. It is not known by the police why the counseling session of the congregation became violent.
Word of Life Christian Church Members Accused
As part of his plea, the boys' father will have to testify against the seven other defendants who pleaded not guilty to the accusations. His wife has also pleaded guilty for assault last year in December. The other defendants were part of the secretive and family-run Word of Life Christian Church and will be tried for various charges including kidnapping, murder, gang assault and more.
Word of Life Christian Church members that were accused include "prophet" Tiffanie Irwin, Traci Irwin, Daniel Irwin, Joseph Irwin, Linda Morey and David Morey.
Do you believe that the 19-year-old teen had been beaten to death by the extremist church for trying to leave the congregation?
