Warning: This story includes graphic descriptions of sexual misconduct involving minors.
An Ontario Grade 8 teacher who used Snapchat to send and ask for nude pictures from former students has admitted guilt to charges of luring and child pornography.
Kelly-Anne Jennings appeared in a Peterborough, Ont., courtroom Thursday morning, while parents of the victims sat in the public gallery.
Jennings, 41, was charged with six counts linked to events in 2023, including child luring, creating child pornography and sharing sexually explicit material with a minor. The victims were identified as teenage boys who had been her students.
The accused stood and said “guilty” when Ontario Court Justice Nathan N. Baker asked how she would plead.
The court learned that additional charges, including one count of sexual assault, would be stayed at the Crown’s request.
The court also heard that Jennings had been drinking when she started sending more explicit images – including videos of herself masturbating – to the former students over Snapchat. According to an agreed statement of facts, Jennings also received nude pictures from the boys at her request.
A court-ordered publication ban protects the names of the victims and any information that could identify them, such as the school where Jennings taught.
WATCH | Kelly-Anne Jennings has pleaded guilty:
Ontario teacher pleads guilty to multiple sexual offences
Kelly-Anne Jennings, a former Grade 8 teacher in Port Hope, Ont., has pleaded guilty to luring and child pornography charges. She used Snapchat to send and solicit nude photos from former students.
“My son looked up to her as a second mother, someone who truly cared about him,” a mother of one of the victims said in a statement read in court.
She described Jennings’ behaviour as “predatory, manipulative and deeply harmful.”
Crown attorney Julie Ann Barrett told the court that the three boys “were manipulated by [Jennings] and used for her own selfish sexual needs.”
When news first broke about these allegations, Jennings was placed on unpaid leave from her position at the school in Port Hope, part of Northumberland County east of Toronto.
Thursday afternoon, the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board released a statement saying “Ms. Jennings is no longer employed” by them.
“We understand that hearing about these serious charges is very upsetting for our students, families, staff, and community,” school board spokesperson Mark Giunta told in an email.
“Our main focus remains on ensuring safety and well-being for our staff and students while continuing support where it’s needed.”
Her profile on the Ontario College of Teachers website showed her as a member in “good standing.”
Jennings was first charged in August 2024 after police reported that a male student informed his mother about inappropriate physical contact with a teacher during a class trip. Police later stated that three more complainants came forward leading to additional charges.
The Crown has suggested a four-year prison sentence for Jennings. Her defense lawyer Dean Embry requested no jail time but rather asked for a conditional sentence of two years less one day followed by probation.
Jennings is expected back in court on Nov. 27.
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Ontario teacher pleads guilty to multiple sexual offences
Kelly-Anne Jennings, a former Grade 8 teacher in Port Hope, Ont., has pleaded guilty to luring and child pornography charges. She used Snapchat to send and solicit nude photos from former students.
“My son looked up to her as a second mother, someone who truly cared about him,” a mother of one of the victims said in a statement read in court.
She described Jennings’ behaviour as “predatory, manipulative and deeply harmful.”
Crown attorney Julie Ann Barrett told the court that the three boys “were manipulated by [Jennings] and used for her own selfish sexual needs.”
When news first broke about these allegations, Jennings was placed on unpaid leave from her position at the school in Port Hope, part of Northumberland County east of Toronto.
Thursday afternoon, the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board released a statement saying “Ms. Jennings is no longer employed” by them.
“We understand that hearing about these serious charges is very upsetting for our students, families, staff, and community,” school board spokesperson Mark Giunta told in an email.
“Our main focus remains on ensuring safety and well-being for our staff and students while continuing support where it’s needed.”
Her profile on the Ontario College of Teachers website showed her as a member in “good standing.”
Jennings was first charged in August 2024 after police reported that a male student informed his mother about inappropriate physical contact with a teacher during a class trip. Police later stated that three more complainants came forward leading to additional charges.
The Crown has suggested a four-year prison sentence for Jennings. Her defense lawyer Dean Embry requested no jail time but rather asked for a conditional sentence of two years less one day followed by probation.
Jennings is expected back in court on Nov. 27.
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