Children taken from Mennonite community as more abuse charges are laid

WINNIPEG – Children have been removed from an orthodox Mennonite community in southern Manitoba, where more adults have been charged with assaulting youngsters.

Manitoba Family Services confirms that children from the community have been taken into care and are being placed in “culturally sensitive” locations, but would not say how many or reveal any other details.

Two adults have been charged with assault and assault with a weapon against a combined 12 children.

That is in addition to similar charges laid in March against two other adults in the community.

All four are accused of hitting children with objects such as cattle prods and leather whips.

Defence lawyer Scott Newman, who represents the first two people charged, says the case is still in its early stages and he is awaiting more disclosure from the Crown.