Woman charged after students allegedly hit with belt at three Alberta Mennonite schools
RCMP investigation into physical discipline at private schools in La Crete uncovered the practice at multiple sites; educators are not accredited teachers.
Sources · local media reports
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An Alberta woman has been charged with assault with a weapon after a police investigation found students were being physically disciplined with a belt — referred to as "the strap" — at three private Mennonite schools in northern Alberta.
Eva Bueckert, 37, of Cleardale, was charged following a report made May 20 by a parent whose child had bruising and red marks across his thigh after being struck. Fort Vermilion RCMP executed a search warrant at the school, seizing a machine belt and related documentation.
The investigation revealed the practice was in use at Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School, and Tompkins Mennonite School. According to police, the physical discipline was listed in a shared constitution that had been given to and signed by parents of students at the schools.
RCMP said a critical issue emerged during the investigation: the educators at these schools are not accredited teachers and are legally considered adults supervising children, not qualified instructors. This distinction affects how the discipline is treated under law.
"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. "We have made Alberta's Ministry of Education and Childcare aware of this investigation in order to prevent further harm to children."
Bueckert is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Vermilion on August 11. The charges have not been tested in court.
How many students at the three schools have been subjected to this discipline, and over what period?
What does Alberta's Ministry of Education require for monitoring and oversight of private religious schools?
Will the schools continue operating, and under what conditions?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
How many schools were involved in the investigation?
Three private Mennonite schools in northern Alberta were found to use physical discipline with a belt: Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School, and Tompkins Mennonite School.
When was the initial report made?
A parent reported the incident on May 20, 2026, after their child had bruising and red marks across his thigh from being struck.
What weapon was seized during the search?
Fort Vermilion RCMP seized a machine belt and related documentation during a search warrant execution at the school.
When is Eva Bueckert scheduled to appear in court?
Eva Bueckert is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Vermilion on August 11, 2026.
