Pornographic images found on Kitchener elementary school playground
The Waterloo Regional Police Service is investigating after pornographic images, some of young children, were found on a playground at a Kitchener elementary school.
The pictures, described as "printed camera images" by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, were discovered Thursday by children at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School on East Avenue.
There were 10 pornographic images in total. Seven of them depicted young girls believed to be between the ages of four and seven.
"These images were incredibly disturbing for the children who did find them," said Const. Andre Johnson.
John Shewchuck, the Chief Managing Officer for the WCDSB, released a statement to CTV News saying, in part: "School staff have spoken with the families of all the children who saw the images (as well as the children themselves), and continue to be available to offer support to anyone who may need it."
A letter to parents, signed by the principal and vice-principal, added: "Going forward, we will continue to monitor the school yard diligently to help guard against having a recurrence of this issue."
"At this point I don't have any information that any of the children were directly targeted," said Cont. Johnson. "Clearly, this was left on the playground at the school, which is a cause for concern."
Members of the Cybercrime, Major Crime and Forensic Identification Units are now investigating the matter, in collaboration with school officials.
"We are appealing to the community for anyone with any information whatsoever," said Const. Johnson. "There are folks who may think that the information that they have is insignificant, but I can tell you any piece will definitely help in solving this and finding the person responsible."
Police said it isn't the first time pornographic images have been found at the school. Images of adults were found in November, said Const. Johnson. Police are working to determine if the two incidents are connected.
They are specifically looking for video surveillance taken between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Jan. 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justice advocate David Milgaard remembered as champion for those who 'don't have a voice'
Justice advocate David Milgaard, a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent more than two decades in prison, has died.
'Hero' guard, church deacon among Buffalo shooting victims
Aaron Salter was one of 10 killed in an attack whose victims represented a cross-section of life in the predominantly Black neighbourhood in Buffalo, New York. They included a church deacon, a man at the store buying a birthday cake for his grandson and an 86-year-old who had just visited her husband at a nursing home.
As Russia retreats from Kharkiv, music returns in secret concert
In Kharkiv, Ukraine, you can still hear the sound of explosions, but now it's outgoing, with the Ukrainians firing at the Russians in retreat. Russia started withdrawing its forces from around Ukraine's second-largest city earlier this week after near constant bombardment.
Buffalo shooter targeted Black neighbourhood, officials say
The white 18-year-old who shot and killed 10 people at a Buffalo supermarket had researched the local demographics and drove to the area a day in advance to conduct reconnaissance with the intent of killing as many Black people as possible, officials said Sunday.
California churchgoers detained gunman in deadly attack
A man opened fire during a lunch reception at a Southern California church on Sunday before being stopped and hog-tied by parishioners in what a sheriff's official called an act of 'exceptional heroism and bravery.'
14 years later, CTV News' Paul Workman returns to a changed Afghanistan
Not long before Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February, CTV News' Chief International Correspondent Paul Workman returned to Afghanistan, a country he last visited in 2008 that is now faced with a humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule.
Juno Awards celebrate Avril Lavigne, Deborah Cox and host Simu Liu's many talents
Sunday night's Juno Awards, hosted by 'Shang-Chi' star Simu Liu, honoured Canadian artists such as Avril Lavigne and Montreal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin
Red River is receding, more than 2,000 evacuees still displaced by Manitoba flood
While the Red River is starting to recede in southern Manitoba, flood waters linger in communities and more than 2,000 people are still displaced.
Inquest to begin in N.B. police shooting of Indigenous woman during wellness check
The lawyer for the family of a British Columbia Indigenous woman fatally shot by police in Edmundston, N.B., during a wellness check two years ago said a coroner's inquest opening Monday offers a chance for her loved ones to get long-awaited answers.
London
-
'I just want it back': Stone polar bear statue stolen from local woman's garden
Nancy Allen's home is known by many as the house with the white stone-made polar bears which have sat in her garden for over 30 years, but on Wednesday morning she woke up to find one of them had been stolen.
-
Trio charged in alleged homicide in Grand Bend
Three people have been charged in connection with an alleged homicide in Grand Bend
-
Bruce County woman found in possession of $2,800 worth of fentanyl
A 22-year-old woman wanted on two arrest warrants is facing an additional charge after she was found in possession of $2,000 of fentanyl, police say.
Windsor
-
Windsor mayor's call for residents to vote PC in provincial election leaves some feeling 'alienated'
Community organizer Kiemia Rezagian says she was "surprised" and "disappointed" to see Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens openly advise residents in the city to vote for Progressive Conservatives candidates in the provincial election
-
Ukrainian-style picnic fundraiser to be held in Windsor Sunday
A “Ukrainian Style” fundraiser picnic takes place Sunday afternoon to help support newly arrived families from Ukraine.
-
Ontario reports lowest number of COVID-19 ICU admissions this year, seven deaths
Ontario health officials are reporting the lowest number of ICU admissions due to COVID-19 this year, with 151 patients currently being treated.
Barrie
-
Campgrounds see an increase in bookings as the summer weather approaches
The demand is high just two days into this year’s camping season.
-
Stayner plant sale blooms educational support for students
High school students in Stayner held a plant sale on Sunday.
-
Simcoe County celebrates Museum Month
The Simcoe County Museum in Minesing is celebrating its opening for the summer.
Northern Ontario
-
-
North Bay has warm welcome for veterans and legion members as convention continues
The Royal Canadian Legion's 52nd biennial covention of the Ontario Provincial Command is continuing this weekend.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | MNRF evacuation advisory for Shining Tree
MNRF officials are advising residents of Shining Tree to evacuate due to a fire.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Ottawa high school that held dress code 'blitz' to hold discussions with students
The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est continues to investigate the dress code "blitz" at École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges last Thursday, which students said left them feeling degraded and humiliated.
-
Officials investigating possible landspout tornado near Casselman, Ont.
Witnesses shared photos and videos with CTV News Ottawa that showed a possible landspout tornado south of Casselman around 4:20 p.m. on Sunday.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING | Construction season officially kicks off in Ottawa
Construction season officially kicks off in Ottawa today, with tens of millions of dollars worth of projects on the agenda this spring and summer.
Toronto
-
This is what $1-million will get you in real estate markets across Ontario
With so many price tags hovering around the $1-million mark, you might be wondering how far a million dollar budget could get you across Ontario’s real estate markets. Well, it depends on where you’re looking.
-
Toronto gas prices just broke a new record after six cents per litre increase overnight
Gas prices in Toronto have reached yet another new record after rising six cents per litre overnight.
-
Best places and time to watch the rare 'super flower blood moon' in Ontario tonight
A rare total lunar eclipse is upon us and people in Ontario are uniquely positioned to see what's known as a 'super flower blood moon' tonight
Montreal
-
Body discovered in trunk of burned vehicle in east end of Montreal
A body was discovered in the trunk of a vehicle that was set on fire Sunday in Montreal's east end.
-
Man in critical condition after being hit and dragged by a tanker truck in Montreal
A man in his 30s is in critical condition in a Montreal hospital after being hit by a tanker truck and dragged for several metres.
-
New Quebec pet and breeding law bans declawing, tail-docking and other cosmetic surgeries
New regulations on pet ownership and breeding in Quebec came out this week including major advances for pet care and the humane treatment of horses. The new Animal Welfare and Safety Act would also ban non-therapeutic surgeries like declawing in cats, and tail-docking or ear-cropping in dogs.
Atlantic
-
Lawyers frustrated with mass shooting inquiry in Nova Scotia as deadlines loom
Eighteen months after a public inquiry was established in Nova Scotia to investigate the worst mass shooting in modern Canadian history, lawyers representing most of the 22 victims say they are troubled about its slow progress and lack of witness testimony.
-
Inquest to begin in N.B. police shooting of Indigenous woman during wellness check
The lawyer for the family of a British Columbia Indigenous woman fatally shot by police in Edmundston, N.B., during a wellness check two years ago said a coroner's inquest opening Monday offers a chance for her loved ones to get long-awaited answers.
-
Nova Scotia Labour Department investigating worker death at Michelin tire plant
A workplace death investigation is underway following a fatality last week at a Michelin tire plant in Nova Scotia.
Winnipeg
-
Justice advocate David Milgaard remembered as champion for those who 'don't have a voice'
Justice advocate David Milgaard, a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent more than two decades in prison, has died.
-
Red River is receding, more than 2,000 evacuees still displaced by Manitoba flood
While the Red River is starting to recede in southern Manitoba, flood waters linger in communities and more than 2,000 people are still displaced.
-
Train derailment in Winnipeg under investigation
A train derailment in the heart of Winnipeg on Saturday is now under investigation.
Calgary
-
Battle of Alberta to come as Flames outlast Stars in OT to seize series win
The Calgary Flames have defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime in Game 7 of their first-round NHL playoff series Sunday night to advance to the second round.
-
Calgarians rally in support of abortion rights as expected Roe v. Wade reversal sparks controversy
Calgarians gathered in front of city hall Sunday to rally in support of a woman’s right to abortion as a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft decision brings the issue to the forefront of conversation on both sides of the border.
-
Man injured following kitchen fire in northeast Calgary
Fire officials say a man was severely burned in an incident that occurred in the kitchen of a northeast Calgary home on Sunday afternoon.
Edmonton
-
'We're not done': Edmonton Oilers ready for playoff push to Stanley Cup finals
The Oilers aren't settling for the second round.
-
Elks return with on-field passion and off-field organization
Rearview mirrors are in short supply at Commonwealth Stadium right now, as the Edmonton Elks do their collective best to forget the short-term past and focus on any kind of future.
-
Alberta wildlife rescue responding to 'highly pathogenic' avian flu cases
The new avian flu is creating challenges for Alberta's largest animal rescue organization as it responds to suspected cases.
Vancouver
-
'It just gives me hope that she can get through this': Dozens rally for teen girl brutally beaten in Surrey
Dozens of people gathered in Surrey Sunday morning to show support for a teenage girl who was brutally beaten last weekend.
-
'These buildings aren't fit for people': Advocate sounds alarm on Vancouver SRO challenges
The devastating fire at Gastown’s Winters Hotel has brought more attention to the issues plaguing Vancouver's single-room occupancy residences.
-
Dilapidated, uninhabitable Vancouver home on the market for $1.5 million
The stairs are crumbling and unusable. The windows and doors are boarded up. The roof is old and growing weeds. But this two-bedroom home on Broadway in East Vancouver is on the market for $1.5 million.