Supervisor at northern Alberta private school charged with assault after child disciplined with belt
Posted August 4, 2026 12:08 pm.
Last Updated August 4, 2026 1:22 pm.
A supervisor at a private school in northern Alberta has been charged with assault after a boy was physically disciplined using a belt earlier this year.
Fort Vermilion RCMP say they were 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.
Authorities searched the school and seized a “machine belt, as well as related documentation.”
Cleardale resident Eva Bueckert, 37, was charged with assault with a weapon. She is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 11. The allegation against her has not been tested in court.
Mounties say investigators determined the practice of physically disciplining students with the belt – known as the “strap” – was being used in three Mennonite schools in the area: Blumenort, Wilson Prairie and Tompkins.
Police say the physical discipline was part of the schools’ collective constitution, “which had been given to, and signed by, the parents.”
“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. “We have made the Alberta’s Ministry of Education and Childcare aware of this investigation in order to prevent further harm to children.”
Mounties add they were made aware that educators at those schools were not accredited teachers, but rather adults supervising children.
