A Longueuil pastor and his wife were arrested Thursday by local police in connection with a year-long investigation that alleges the couple subjected children to corporal punishment over the course of 45 years and encouraged members of their congregation to do the same to their children.
Mario Monette and Carole Van Houtte, both 65, are expected to appear in court in Longueuil on Friday to face 32 charges including armed assault, assault, inflicting corporal injuries, uttering threats, forcible confinement and inciting the commission of a criminal act.
Longueuil police began their investigation in February 2018 after two alleged victims filed complaints against the couple.
The offences are alleged to have been committed against minors between 1974 and 2018.
Apart from allegedly inflicting corporal punishment on children, police contend the couple preached to their congregation to subject their own children to the same treatment. Police allege also that the couple exercised psychological control of certain members of their church.
