Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
Assault charges against a former Kitchener teacher accused of taping students with masking tape were withdrawn in court on Wednesday.
The teacher’s lawyer confirmed to CTV News the charges were dropped at the request of the Crown after she agreed to enter into a common law peace bond – a court order used to keep someone from committing or recommitting a breach of the peace.
She also resigned from the Waterloo Region District School Board, the lawyer said in an email.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
In November, police announced they had charged the 53-year-old woman with two counts of assault after an investigation into “allegations she taped two children with masking tape while in the classroom.”
The alleged incidents happened at Alpine Public School in Kitchener.
The criminal investigation started on Oct. 22, after police received a report from Family and Children’s Services of Waterloo Region.
The families of both children spoke to CTV News Kitchener in the fall. One family said the teacher taped their child to his desk. The second child said the teacher used tape as a punishment on him three times.
“The first time she taped my legs, the second time she taped my arms and the last time she taped me on my mouth, under my mask,” the child told CTV News in October.
“I don’t feel safe and my kids don’t feel safe,” the child’s mother said.
SCHOOL BOARD RESPONDS
CTV News reached out to Waterloo Region District School Board. The board would not answer questions in an on-camera interview and instead posted a video statement to social media late Wednesday afternoon.
Director of Education jeewan chanicka appears in a video entitled "WRDSB statement regarding student safety" posted to YouTube on May 18, 2022. (WRDSB/Youtube)
“The WRDSB cannot comment on the court ruling,” Director of Education jeewan chanicka said in part in the statement. “What we will say and what we do need to say is that we know that there will be some parents in our community, especially parents of Black, Indigenous and racialized students who are wondering who will ensure the safety of their children when they send them off to school.”
chanicka said the board is committed to addressing systemic racism and ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
CTV News reached out to the families involved. One of them declined to comment. The other did not reply before airtime.
Correction
A previous version of this story said a common law peace bond was a court order used to keep someone from committing or recommitting a crime. It has been updated to clarify that it is an order used to keep someone from committing or recommitting a breach of the peace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Brown alleges political corruption over Conservative leadership disqualification
Patrick Brown is alleging political corruption played a role in his disqualification from the Conservative Party of Canada's leadership race, a move that came following allegations that his campaign violated election financing rules.
Conservative party not printing new ballots despite Patrick Brown's disqualification
Despite being disqualified by the Conservative Party of Canada from becoming its next leader, ousted candidate Patrick Brown's name will still appear on the ballot.
Intense video shows worker dangling from crane at Toronto construction site
Video has emerged showing a worker dangling in the air above a Toronto construction site after accidently getting entangled in a tagline attached to a crane.
Air Canada, Pearson again rank No. 1 in delays worldwide; Montreal check-in freezes
Air Canada and Toronto's Pearson airport again claimed the top spots for flight delays on Tuesday, marking at least four days in a row where the country's biggest airline has placed No. 1 of any large carrier worldwide.
Air Canada temporarily bans pets from baggage hold over delays
Air Canada said on Wednesday it will not allow animals in the baggage hold until Sept. 12 due to 'longer than usual' delays at airports, as carriers and airports wrestle with complaints over lost luggage and long lines.
Planning a road trip? Here's how to save money on gas this summer
As gas prices slightly trend down this week after some of the highest national averages seen in recent months, some Canadians may be thinking twice before planning their usual summer road trip plans. CTVNews.ca looks at how drivers can save at the pumps while travelling.
OPINION | How much of a mortgage can I afford in Canada?
Prices have been easing slightly recently, but affording a mortgage is still a very difficult task for many Canadians. How much of a mortgage can you afford? Contributor Christopher Liew breaks it down in an exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
'Most stressful experience': Express Entry draws resume, but long waits take toll
Canada's immigration department is restarting all Express Entry draws for immigration applications Wednesday, after pausing the program 18 months ago during the pandemic.
Climate change will create 'thirsty' ecosystems, new study suggests
A new study by climate scientists suggests some 'hot spot regions' around the world contain ecosystems that are at-risk due to water availability.
London
-
Victim of fatal head on collision identified: Oxford County OPP
The victim of a fatal head on collision earlier this week in Blandford-Blenheim has been identified as a 41-year-old man from Plattsville.
-
Nazem Kadri returns to London after Stanley Cup win
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for London’s newest Stanley Cup champion Nazem Kadri.
-
OPP identifies victim of fatal motorcycle collision near Woodstock
Provincial police have identified the victim of a deadly motorcycle collision that occurred earlier this week.
Windsor
-
Pedestrian struck by train in Chatham, Ont.
Emergency crews were on scene after a pedestrian was struck by a train late Wednesday afternoon in east Chatham.
-
Enwin Utilities puts customers on notice following phone scams
Shawn Lippert received a scary call Monday morning. “I got a guy on the other end and said, ‘Hi this is Enwin. We're giving you a courtesy call.’” Lippert was told his Scareshouse Windsor business account was in arrears and service was about to be cut off.
-
'Is your urgency an emergency?': Windsor-Essex hospital officials appeal to public to reduce hospital and EMS wait times
With the hospital system in Windsor-Essex continuing to operate under tremendous pressure, healthcare leaders are asking residents to reserve calling 911 for emergency situations only, and to seek alternate care for non-medical emergencies.
Barrie
-
Farmers fed up with canola field selfie fad
Farmers in southern Ontario say they are fed up with a selfie fad that has caused thousands of dollars in damages.
-
Ontario school buses equipped with new lighting system to stop drivers this fall
School buses may be parked for the summer, but come fall, they will be equipped with a new lighting system to catch drivers' attention.
-
Trudeau chats with locals in surprise stop at Barrie area farm
Strawberry pickers at Barrie Hill Farms saw more than fresh berries when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited.
Northern Ontario
-
Northern College first school to adopt national cybersecurity standard
Many post-secondary institutions are vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to CyberCatch, a firm tasked with getting small- to medium-sized organizations up to date with Canada's new standard for cybersecurity.
-
Closed butcher shop in North Bay leads to rotting meat, bad odours and a lot of flies
Bavarian Meat Products in North Bay has been closed since fall of 2021. While the business has closed, flies are thriving and the odour of rotten meat gets worse.
-
Ontario's best young golfers competing in Sudbury
Golf dominance is on the line this week at Timberwolf Golf Club as the Sudbury venue hosts the 2022 Ontario Boys Junior Golf Championship.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa senior says he lost life savings investing with company now facing fraud charges
An Ottawa senior citizen says he lost his life savings after investing with a real estate development firm that has been charged with fraud.
-
One person suffers life-threatening injuries in west Ottawa shooting
Ottawa police are on the scene of a shooting that injured one person in the city's west end.
-
Alstom exec says LRT train manufacturer did not get adequate maintenance access
The penultimate day of the public hearings into Ottawa’s light rail transit system saw some sharp words from the train manufacturer.
Toronto
-
'I cannot get any rest': Residents complain of sleepless nights after alleged nightclub opens up under condo
Residents living in Toronto’s west end say they have been left utterly exhausted after an alleged nightclub opened up at the base of their condominium.
-
Ontario has likely entered new COVID-19 wave driven by BA.5 subvariant, science table warns
Ontario has likely entered a new wave of the pandemic driven by the more infectious BA.5 subvariant, the province’s science advisory table says.
-
Mother and daughters sleep on Toronto Pearson nursing room floor after chaotic travel experience
A mother from Nova Scotia is speaking out about her recent travel experience through Toronto Pearson Airport after a WestJet flight delay left her and her daughters sleeping on a nursing room floor.
Montreal
-
WATCH LIVE @ 9 A.M.
WATCH LIVE @ 9 A.M. | With another COVID climb, Quebec health minister calls news conference for Thursday morning
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations on the rise in Quebec, public health officials have called a news conference for Thursday morning.
-
'Not a time when Quebec can afford to lose young doctors,' province's opposition leader says of ER exodus
The leader of Quebec's Liberal Party paused her vacation briefly on Wednesday to react to the news that two young emergency room doctors have quit their jobs in their hometown of Montreal to work in Toronto.
-
Montreal Alouettes fire head coach Khari Jones
The Montreal Alouettes have fired their head coach and their defensive co-ordinator, the team announced Wednesday afternoon.
Atlantic
-
Cassidy Bernard's ex-boyfriend sentenced to 15 years for manslaughter in her death
The ex-boyfriend of Cassidy Bernard has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter and a consecutive three years for child abandonment in connection with the young mother's death.
-
Families of N.S. shooting victims 'extremely upset,' reconsidering role in inquiry
Families of victims of the Nova Scotia mass shooting are considering whether to continue participating in the public inquiry into the tragedy because key witnesses are being shielded from cross-examination.
-
Mother and daughters sleep on Toronto Pearson nursing room floor after chaotic travel experience
A mother from Nova Scotia is speaking out about her recent travel experience through Toronto Pearson Airport after a WestJet flight delay left her and her daughters sleeping on a nursing room floor.
Winnipeg
-
'Irreconcilable differences': Councillor, fired assistant clash in election race
A political breakup at Winnipeg City Hall is creating intrigue in a council race.
-
Parts of southern Manitoba under severe thunderstorm watches and warnings
There is a chance that severe thunderstorms could hit parts of southern Manitoba.
-
Dire shortages leave Melita residents with no ER services for the summer
Residents in a southern Manitoba town are asking questions as to why they are facing a summer with no emergency room.
Calgary
-
Why is gas more expensive in Calgary than Toronto? Retail experts weigh in
Calgary drivers might be asking why the price of gasoline is more expensive in their energy rich province where oil is refined and extracted than in Ontario, but one retail expert claims to have the answer.
-
Calgary Flames take on Stanley Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche in 2022-23 home opener
The Calgary Flames will face off against the Colorado Avalanche in their 2022-23 season home opener this fall.
-
BMO Centre being transformed into a massive gallery for Western Oasis Art Show
The Stampede Art Show is a long running event at the greatest outdoor show on earth and artists are setting up their booths for when the gates open.
Edmonton
-
Man sentenced to 15.5 years for kidnapping, sexually assaulting Edmonton girl
Wade Stene, who admitted to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old Edmonton girl, was sentenced to 15.5 years behind bars Wednesday afternoon.
-
Edmonton on track to get rid of single-use plastics. Here's how
The City of Edmonton is moving ahead on a new bylaw aimed at reducing the number of single-use items, like plastic cutlery and bags, that end up in city landfills and on city streets.
-
EPS officer charged with assault after off-duty incident
An Edmonton Police Service officer has been charged with assault after an off-duty incident earlier this year.
Vancouver
-
Victim of daytime shooting at Surrey hotel identified
Homicide investigators have shared the identity of the man killed in a brazen afternoon shooting in a hotel parking lot in Surrey Monday afternoon.
-
Video shows suspect in disturbing machete attack in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
Weeks after a terrifying machete attack in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, authorities have yet to identify the person responsible – but new surveillance video is offering a glimpse of a suspect.
-
Family of Chelsea Cardno announces plans for celebration of life
The family of a Kelowna, B.C., woman who died tragically last month has announced plans for a celebration of her life.