ST. CHARLES • The state has revoked the license of a St. Charles home day-care operator after her husband — approved as an assistant — was charged with domestic violence.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services suspended and revoked Bonnie Leonard's license last week. Leonard has been licensed to care for up to 10 children in her home on Whetstone Drive since 2004. The state pulled her license in part because of a May 30 incident that resulted in a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against her husband, Robert A. Leonard Sr., 62. He is accused of hitting and choking her and asking her to give him a handgun and bullets that were kept separately.

According to Health and Senior Services reports, Bonnie Leonard told police the abuse was ongoing throughout the 43-year marriage. The Leonards say that isn't true. In an interview Thursday, Bonnie Leonard said her husband started having brain seizures about a month ago — when the alleged abuse was beginning — that caused him to act uncharacteristically.

Police investigators say they have received only one call for domestic abuse involving the Leonards. That call came on May 30, but it revealed years of abuse, they said.

According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bonnie Leonard wrote in her journal about being abused between May 22 and May 30 and said: "I will lose my license for day care if they know what's going on."

On May 22, Leonard went to a bank and forgot her cellphone. When she returned, she learned that a parent of one of the children she watches had called several times. Robert Leonard was furious and yelled at her, waking up and frightening the children, according to state documents. Bonnie Leonard told police he started hitting her later that evening in the head, back and face.

Police said Robert Leonard hit his wife again on May 30. They said he asked his wife for the gun, but she would not give him the bullets. The Leonards said no children were present that day.

Bonnie Leonard said her husband was acting that way only because of seizures and not receiving the proper medication. Since then, she said, he has had no problems.

Police found the handgun inside a boot in a bedroom closet. They said children had slept in that bedroom when Bonnie Leonard was watching them. Bonnie Leonard said the handgun usually was kept in a safe. Police confiscated the weapon.

Robert Leonard was charged on June 1. He is out on bail and living at home. The department said it revoked Bonnie Leonard's license because of the abuse allegations and the presence of the unsecured gun.