Neighbors react after teen dies, another wounded from church beating

ABC News 10, New York/October 14, 2015

By Lindsay Nielsen

CHADWICKS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Police say what should have been a place of sanctuary turned into a place of death when brutal beatings left one teenager dead and his brother seriously wounded.

A mom and dad have been arrested. They stand accused of trying to “beat the sin” out of their sons resulting in the death of one.

Neighbors said they would walk by the World of Life Christian Church and wonder what happened inside. They said the doors were always locked.

“This has always been some kind of closed off section of their own town really,” Clayville resident Clayton Leniux said.

Leniux said he knew nothing about the members of the World of Life Christian Church on Oneida Street in Chadwicks.

“You know, the most I’ve seen is, like, lights, and I’ve never seen anybody go in or out,” he said.

Leniux later learned more about the private community and some members living in the old school building when one of its members died after a beating.

“I was totally shocked,” he said. “I mean, I walked by here in the morning before the cops got here, and I talked to one of the cops. I gave him all my information, and he asked me if I knew anything was going on. They were basically just trying to get in.”

Police said once officers got inside Monday, they found 17-year-old Christopher Leonard severely beaten. According to police, his brother, 19-year-old Lucas Leonard, was taken to a hospital by family that same morning. He later died from his injuries.

Police said six members of the World of Life Church brutally beat the brothers in an attempt to make them confess their sins. Their parents, Bruce and Deborah Leonard, are accused in the attack.

Leniux said he realized they are his neighbors.

“There were younger kids always playing on their bikes in the road,” he recalled. “Sometimes they weren’t very social. I mean, most of the time I was seeing them it was calling their kids back for dinner.”

Sources said the brothers were homeschooled. The tragic end of the “counseling session,” as labeled by WOL members, left one neighbor emotionally disturbed.

“Sick,” Connie, of Chadwicks, said. “I don’t know what else to say. Can’t believe it.”

She said the police investigation scared her.

“They came over and told us to evacuate our house,” she said. “They took the children out first. Then, they took the women out.”

Both Bruce and Deborah Leonard remain in jail on $100,000 bail. The other church members who were arrested are being held on $50,000 bail.

The Word of Life Fellowship in Schroon Lake is not affiliated with the World of Life Christian Church in Chadwicks. The Schroon Lake Church released the following statement:

Schroon Lake, New York -- Recently members of Word of Life Church in Chadwicks, New York were indicted on manslaughter charges.

To help avoid confusion, we wish to clarify that Word of Life Fellowship in Schroon Lake, New York does not have any affiliation with this church.

Furthermore, Word of Life Fellowship does not agree with the actions taken by the members of the church in Chadwicks, New York.  The incident that took place at this church is saddening and is not in consistent with Biblical teaching.  Word of Life Fellowship maintains and adheres to a child protection policy in all of its ministries.

Word of Life Fellowship is a ministry focused on reaching and meeting the spiritual needs of today’s youth through Christian camping, Bible Institutes, Bible clubs and international ministries.

To see more documents/articles regarding this group/organization/subject click here.