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Quebec human rights commission blames various parties in Lev Tahor case

Chief Correspondent, Carolyn Jarvis, sits with Lev Tahor’s spiritual leader, Grand Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans in an interview that would last over 7 hours. 16x9

MONTREAL – Quebec’s human rights commission said various parties are to blame in the case of an ultra-orthodox Jewish sect accused of mistreating children.

READ MORE: Under the veil of Lev Tahor, Jewish sect accused of abuse

The commission released its findings Thursday and stated that freedom of religion cannot be used as a pretext for abusing or neglecting kids.

READ MORE: Judge scolds Lev Tahor families for fleeing before court ruled on custody case

It is also blaming Quebec’s youth-protection agency, school officials, social services and the police for not acting quickly enough on suspicions that 134 children in the Lev Tahor community were being abused.

WATCH: Lev Tahor has faced a lot of scrutiny
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Lev Tahor was the subject of a youth protection investigation in Quebec over allegations of neglect and child abuse before members fled to the Ontario community of Chatham.

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READ MORE: Police say 2 girls from Lev Tahor sect have left foster care

Lev Tahor leaders have acknowledged the children are given a religious education but deny claims of abuse and underage marriages.

READ MORE: Lev Tahor members leave Guatemala village after dispute with residents

READ MORE: Quebec to stop subsidizing illegal Hasidic Jewish schools

The families fled Chatham in March 2014 when a judge ruled that 14 children in the community would be sent back to Quebec and placed in foster care.

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