NYE COUNTY (KTNV) — The owners of Northwest Academy, a closed boarding school in Amargosa Valley, have been formally charged with child abuse.

The Nye County District Attorney's Office filed criminal complains against Marcell and Patricia Chappuis on Tuesday. Each face 45 counts of Child Abuse or Neglect, a category B felony.

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The two were arrested back in February in Las Vegas after a joint effort between Las Vegas police and Nye County investigators.

Authorities say the tap water at the rural Nevada private school contained arsenic and that some teachers were physically abusing the students.

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“After careful review and mindful of the need to protect the public, we have decided to pursue criminal charges in this matter,” said Nye County District Attorney Chris Arabia.

“These children suffered and that’s simply unacceptable.”

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Arraignments for both defendants will be held at 10 a.m. on Aug. 19 at the Beatty Justice Court.