Woman charged with assault after child allegedly hit with belt at Alberta private school: RCMP

Woman charged with assault after child allegedly hit with belt at Alberta private school: RCMP

Child had bruising and red marks across his thigh, police say

RCMP say a woman in northern Alberta has been charged with assault after a boy was hit with a belt at a private school earlier this year.

The woman, a resident of Cleardale, Alta., was charged after Fort Vermilion RCMP was alerted of the alleged incident by the child’s parent on May 20.

The child had bruising and red marks across his thigh, RCMP said in a news release on Tuesday.

“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 of the RCMP's western Alberta district general investigation section.

Court documents say the victim was struck by a serpentine belt or a similar item. A serpentine belt is rubber belt often a part of automotive engines, such as alternators or water pumps.

Police said a concerned parents reported the incident. RCMP executed a search warrant at the school, which resulted in "the seizure of a machine belt, as well as related documentation."

Police said the practice of physically disciplining students with a "strap" was being used in the three schools in the area, including the Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School and Tompkins Mennonite School.

These constitutions have been given to, and signed by, the parents, RCMP said, adding investigators were made aware educators at these schools are not accredited teachers and are instead considered "adults supervising children."

RCMP also said it has reached out to Alberta's Ministry of Education and Childcare regarding the incident.

In a statement to CBC News, Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the safety and well-being of students is his top priority.

“All schools in Alberta must operate in compliance with the law, including the Criminal Code of Canada,” he said. “Following information provided through the RCMP investigation, my ministry is reviewing the situation to determine whether further action may be required.”

The accused is to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Vermilion on August 11.

Fort Vermilion is around 660 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.