FORT VERMILLION — A 37-year-old woman has been charged with assault with a weapon after a child was struck with a machine belt at a private Mennonite school in northern Alberta, prompting an RCMP investigation that uncovered a broader pattern of corporal punishment across multiple schools.
The investigation began on May 20, 2026, when a concerned parent reported to Fort Vermilion RCMP that their child had been physically disciplined with a belt at a private school. The child sustained bruising and red marks across his thigh, according to police.
The Western Alberta District General Investigation Section took over the case and, with assistance from Fort Vermilion RCMP, executed a search warrant at the school. Officers seized a machine belt and related documentation.
RCMP investigators discovered that the practice of physically disciplining students with a “strap” was being used at three schools — Blumenort Mennonite School, Wilson Prairie Mennonite School and Tompkins Mennonite School — in accordance with their collective constitution, which had been provided to and signed by parents.
Police also learned that the educators at these schools are not accredited teachers but are considered adults supervising children.
Eva Bueckert, a resident of Cleardale, Alta., has been charged with assault with a weapon. She is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort Vermilion on Aug. 11, 2026.
“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 WAD GIS. “We have made the Alberta’s Ministry of Education and Childcare aware of this investigation in order to prevent further harm to children”.
