Montreal

Lev Tahor sect members on the run sent back to Canada

Nine members of the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor who fled Canada earlier this week have been put on a plane to Toronto, CBC has learned.

Ultra-orthodox Jewish sect has been under investigation for its treatment of children

Trinidad police and immigration officials remove Lev Tahor families from their hotel. Members of the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect fled Canada earlier this week. (CBC)

Nine members of the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor who fled Canada earlier this week have been put on a plane to Toronto, CBC has learned.

The members, three adults and six children, left just before a judge was to rule on an appeal of an order to send 13 children into foster care in Quebec.

They were detained in Trinidad and Tobago.

The community had been under investigation for a wide range of issues, including hygiene and the treatment of children. In court-filed affidavits, police also say they are investigating allegations of child abuse and under-age marriages.
 
A member of the Lev Tahor ultra-orthodox Jewish sect walks children home from school in Chatham, Ont. Monday, Feb. 3, 2014. (Dave Chidley/Canadian Press)

The community has denied all allegations of mistreatment.

It's believed other members subject to the order have fled to Guatemala. The nine who were detained in Trinidad had planned to legally challenge any attempt to send them back to Canada.