Assault charges withdrawn against Kitchener teacher accused of taping students
Assault charges against a former Kitchener teacher accused of taping students with masking tape were withdrawn in court on Wednesday.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
Gas prices see long weekend drop in parts of Canada, but analysts say relief not likely to last
The Canada Day long weekend saw gas prices plummet in parts of the country, but the relief at the pumps may not stay for very long, analysts say. The decreases come after crude oil prices slid in June following the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, sparking fears of a recession.
Anti-Taliban law could be tweaked to get more humanitarian aid to Afghans: minister
A law outlawing any dealings with the Taliban, which charities complain is impeding their ability to help needy Afghans, could be adjusted by the federal government to give more flexibility to aid agencies.
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
Biden intends to nominate a conservative, anti-abortion lawyer to federal judgeship, Kentucky Democrats say
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate an anti-abortion Republican lawyer to a federal judgeship, two Kentucky Democrats informed of the decision say.
Russian forces press assault on eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk
Russian forces are pounding the city of Lysychansk and its surroundings in an all-out attempt to seize the last stronghold of resistance in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk province, the governor said Saturday.
Quebec could see increase in unhoused people as leases expire across province: housing group
A prominent housing advocacy group fears Quebec could see an increase in households left without a permanent place to live as leases expire across the province on July 1.
'You do not want this' virus: California man with monkeypox urges others to get vaccinated
A California man has posted a widely-shared video in an attempt to educate people about the monkeypox virus outbreak, to encourage people to get vaccinated if they're eligible and to make it very clear: 'You do not want this.'
Technoblade, Minecraft YouTuber watched by millions, dead at 23
Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade has died at the age of 23 following a year-long battle with cancer, his family announced Friday.
Infection with HIV can accelerate aging within the first two to three years of infection, study says
Living with HIV may have an immediate effect on how your body ages, according to new research which showed that cellular aging was sped up within two to three years of infection.
London
-
Saturday morning fire in north London deemed suspicious: London police
London police and London fire are investigating after a fire broke out at a north London underground parking garage early Saturday morning.
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
14-year-old charged after fireworks set off on GO train in Toronto
A 14-year-old boy has been charged after fireworks were set off on a GO train in Toronto Thursday night, police say.
Windsor
-
Vehicle collision in Leamington, Ont. claims life of motorcyclist
One person is deceased and another was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision between a pickup truck and a motorcycle in Leamington on Canada Day.
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
Ontario's six-month gas tax cut starts. Here's what you need to know
Ontario drivers experienced some relief from record-setting prices at the pump on Friday as the province's gas tax cut came into effect.
Barrie
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
Barrie residents pack Dunlop Street for Canada Day celebrations
Thousands packed downtown streets Friday for the first Canada Day celebration in two years, not restricted by pandemic measures.
-
Missing man found dead in river near Gravenhurst
Police in Gravenhurst say a man has died after being reported missing.
Northern Ontario
-
Disabled athlete attempting to cross Lake Superior
A Toronto man is getting set to become the first disabled athlete to cross Lake Superior on a paddleboard. Mike Shoreman, who made a stop in Sault Ste. Marie Friday, has already crossed Lake Erie, and most recently crossed Lake Huron. He is raising money for youth mental wellness.
-
Bracebridge OPP locate body of missing man
Ontario Provincial Police officers from Bracebridge located body of missing man on Friday.
-
Tractor trailer collision on HWY 11 near Tilden Lake
All lanes of Highway 11 at Micro Tower Rd in the Hearst area near Tilden Lake are closed due to a tractor trailer collision.
Ottawa
-
Nearly 100 vehicles towed from downtown vehicle control zone since Wednesday: Bylaw
Ottawa police say residents and visitors will continue to see an enhanced police presence in downtown Ottawa today, as the cleanup begins from Canada's 155th birthday party.
-
Ottawa man arrested at gunpoint after allegedly pulling knife on RCMP officers
Ottawa police say a 19-year-old Ottawa man is facing charges after allegedly pulling a knife on RCMP officers Friday night.
-
Perth, Ont. hospital emergency department closed due to COVID-19 outbreak
The emergency room at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital in Perth will remain closed until Thursday because of a staffing shortage.
Toronto
-
Impaired driving charges laid after pedestrian killed, several others injured in Toronto crash
A 26-year-old man is facing drunk driving charges after a pedestrian was struck and killed, and several others were injured in a downtown collision Friday night.
-
Doctor prepared to take legal action if Ontario doesn't expand COVID-19 booster eligibility
Ontario is not yet allowing most adults under the age of 60 to get a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot, prompting one doctor to prepare legal action to get the province to widen eligibility.
-
Police rescue dog from locked vehicle parked at Toronto area mall
Animal control is investigating after a dog was left inside a locked vehicle in a mall parking lot in Mississauga on Canada Day.
Montreal
-
Housing advocates count 600 Quebec households without a home after July 1
The number of Quebec households without a roof over their heads after July 1 moving day is currently 600. That number "could continue to rise in the coming days," warned Véronique Laflamme, spokesperson for the Quebec housing advocacy group - FRAPRU, at a news conference in Montreal on Saturday.
-
Quebec could see increase in unhoused people as leases expire across province: housing group
A prominent housing advocacy group fears Quebec could see an increase in households left without a permanent place to live as leases expire across the province on July 1.
-
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
Atlantic
-
N.B. woman facing impaired driving charge after SUV collides with RCMP vehicle
A 50-year-old New Brunswick woman is facing an impaired driving charge following a head-on collision with a fully marked RCMP vehicle in the village of Tracadie.
-
Halifax District RCMP investigating North Preston shooting that left one injured
Police in Halifax are investigating a shooting that happened in North Preston Friday night.
-
Fire at Kentville grocery store sends two firefighters to hospital; investigation ongoing
A fire at a grocery store in Kentville, N.S., caused significant damage to the storefront and sent two people to hospital.
Winnipeg
-
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
-
Man arrested for attempted choking with shoelace: Brandon police
Brandon Police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly trying to choke another man with a shoelace.
-
'We're stuck': Winnipeg family's renovation stalled by permit issues
A St. Norbert family hoped their basement renovations would be wrapping up by midsummer, but a series of permit-related issues have stalled the project.
Calgary
-
1 in hospital following early-morning shooting downtown
A man is in serious condition following an early-morning shooting in Calgary.
-
Missing Edmonton teen found safe in Oregon, man facing charges
Edmonton police announced Saturday that 13-year-old Lila Smith, who had been missing for a week, was found safe in Oregon, U.S.
-
Community pays tribute to Chinese railroad workers
Members of Calgary's Chinese community paid tribute to Chinese railroad workers Friday, in a Canada Day wreath laying ceremony.
Edmonton
-
Missing Edmonton teen found safe in Oregon, man facing charges
Edmonton police announced Saturday that 13-year-old Lila Smith, who had been missing for a week, was found safe in Oregon, U.S.
-
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
-
Gas prices see long weekend drop in parts of Canada, but analysts say relief not likely to last
The Canada Day long weekend saw gas prices plummet in parts of the country, but the relief at the pumps may not stay for very long, analysts say. The decreases come after crude oil prices slid in June following the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, sparking fears of a recession.
Vancouver
-
UBC researcher planning jellyfish world tour
A UBC researcher will soon embark on the trip of a lifetime, circling the globe over the course of several months to further her understanding of a creature that has captivated her for years: jellyfish.
-
LIVE @ 10:30 PT
LIVE @ 10:30 PT | Police to provide update on bank shootout in Saanich, B.C.
Police investigating Tuesday's shootout at a bank in Saanich, B.C., will provide an update on the case Saturday morning.
-
Chilliwack RCMP issue warning after catalytic converter thefts at local lakes
Mounties in Chilliwack are warning the public about a string of recent catalytic converter thefts at a pair of local recreation areas.