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 photos from former students has admitted guilt to luring and child pornography charges.
Kelly-Anne Jennings appeared in a Peterborough, Ont., courtroom Thursday morning, as parents of victims sat in the public gallery.
Jennings, 41, faced six charges related to incidents in 2023, including child luring, creating child pornography, and sharing sexually explicit material with a minor. The victims were identified as teenage boys who’d been Jennings’ students.
The accused stood and said “guilty” when asked by Ontario Court Justice Nathan N. Baker how she would be pleading.
The court learned that additional charges, including one count of sexual assault, would be stayed at the request of the Crown.
The court also heard that Jennings had been drinking when she began sending increasingly 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 covers 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’ behavior as “predatory, manipulative and deeply harmful.”
Crown attorney Julie Ann Barrett told the court the three boys “were manipulated by [Jennings] and used for her own selfish sexual needs.”
When the allegations first came out, Jennings was placed on unpaid leave from her job 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 stated “Ms. Jennings is no longer employed” by the board.
“We recognize that hearing about these serious charges is deeply upsetting for our students, families, staff, and the wider community,” school board spokesperson Mark Giunta told in an email.
“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our staff and students; we continue to provide support where it is needed.”
Her profile on the Ontario College of Teachers website listed her as a member in “good standing.”
Jennings was first charged in August 2024 after police said a male student informed his mother about inappropriate physical contact with a teacher during a class trip. Police later reported that three more complainants had come forward which led to further charges.
The Crown has suggested a four-year prison sentence. Jennings’ defense lawyer Dean Embry requested that his client receive no jail time but rather a conditional sentence of two years less a 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’ behavior as “predatory, manipulative and deeply harmful.”
Crown attorney Julie Ann Barrett told the court the three boys “were manipulated by [Jennings] and used for her own selfish sexual needs.”
When the allegations first came out, Jennings was placed on unpaid leave from her job 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 stated “Ms. Jennings is no longer employed” by the board.
“We recognize that hearing about these serious charges is deeply upsetting for our students, families, staff, and the wider community,” school board spokesperson Mark Giunta told in an email.
“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our staff and students; we continue to provide support where it is needed.”
Her profile on the Ontario College of Teachers website listed her as a member in “good standing.”
Jennings was first charged in August 2024 after police said a male student informed his mother about inappropriate physical contact with a teacher during a class trip. Police later reported that three more complainants had come forward which led to further charges.
The Crown has suggested a four-year prison sentence. Jennings’ defense lawyer Dean Embry requested that his client receive no jail time but rather a conditional sentence of two years less a day followed by probation.
Jennings is expected back in court on Nov. 27.Source link
