Teen Fatally Beaten at NY Church; Parents Charged

Police in New Hartford, New York, say two teenage brothers were brutally beaten in church and one of them died.

Police say the beatings were an effort by the brothers' parents, sister, and other members of the congregation to force them to confess their sins and seek forgiveness.

The beatings reportedly happened when a counseling session turned violent.

"Both brothers were subjected to physical punishment over the course of several hours in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness," Police Chief Michael Inserra said Wednesday.

Lucas Leonard, 19, and his 17-year-old brother, Christopher, were pummeled with fists and kicked.

Eventually, Lucas stopped breathing and relatives took him early Monday to a hospital, where he died, police said.

The Associated Press reported that after Lucas was brought to the hospital, police suspected Christopher had been hurt, too, but his relatives wouldn't tell officers where he was, the chief said.

After searching for hours, police found him on the church's second floor seriously injured.

Six church members, including the parents and sister, have been arrested. The boys' parents have been charged with manslaughter and the four other adults are charged with assault.

They all pled not guilty. Police said more arrests are expected as the investigation continues