NEW HARTFORD – A former member of a nearby church where one boy was fatally beaten to death in a so-called spiritual ritual on Monday says the church was “a cult.”

Police said that two teens were beaten for several hours inside the Word of Life Church in New Hartford, resulting in the death of one of the boys.

New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra said at a news conference Wednesday that 19-year-old Lucas Leonard died of his injuries. His brother, 17-year-old Christopher Leonard, remains in serious condition but is able to speak.

Authorities said the assault was perpetrated by the boys’ parents, Bruce and Deborah Leonard, and four other church members.

A former member of the Word of Life Church spoke with The Evening Sun Wednesday, and described the church as “a cult.” The church is approximately 45 miles north of Norwich.

The woman who was with the church in the 1980s and 1990s requested to remain anonymous for her safety.

“Even when I was there nearly 30 years ago, some things happened,” she said. “They were really trying to control everyone and everything.”

The former member continued. “When I realized I needed to leave the church, I was taken into a room, threatened, and was told I couldn’t leave. I was called afterward. I had to change my phone number. I even had to move.”

The woman admitted that she had been friends with the Leonards when she was with the church, and said she remembered some of their children, but the two injured had not been born.

“When I got there, it wasn’t that bad,” she said. “The building had just been purchased and they just moved into it. Then I was taken into a little room where I was told to submit to their authority, told to leave my husband, and I couldn’t associate with my family.”

“It really bothered me. I admit, at first I was brainwashed. My kids didn’t understand,” she said. “Finally, it just got so bad, and there was a voice that told me I had to get out. The other members were so mad at me.”