An Ontario court session revealed that Kelly-Anne Jennings, a Grade 8 teacher at St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School in Port Hope, may opt for a guilty plea concerning the 18 sex crime charges she faces. The accusations include offenses such as sexual assault on a minor under 14, producing child pornography, and sharing sexually explicit content with a minor. The alleged incidents occurred between June 2022 and April 2024 in Port Hope, Northumberland County, near Toronto.
During a recent hearing in Cobourg, a representative for Jennings’ lawyer indicated discussions between the defense team and the Crown prosecution regarding a potential guilty plea. Jennings’ lawyer, Dean Embry, mentioned that a resolution is expected later in the summer, although it remains unclear if Jennings will plead guilty to all or only some of the charges, which include luring, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching.
Jennings did not attend the court session, and the case is set to reconvene in Cobourg next week. Court records identify four minors as alleged victims, with their identities protected by a publication ban. Police disclosed that the accused interacted with the complainants via social media platforms like Snapchat.
Jennings initially faced charges last August following a male student’s report of inappropriate contact during a school trip. Subsequently, three more complainants emerged, leading to additional charges against Jennings. Despite the legal proceedings, the Ontario College of Teachers lists Jennings as a member in “good standing.”
Stephen O’Sullivan, the education director at the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, confirmed Jennings’ employment at St. Anthony since 2016. Following her arrest, Jennings was placed on administrative leave and restricted from school premises and student interactions. The school board spokesperson, Galen Eagle, noted that Jennings remains on unpaid leave throughout the court process.
While the exact court date for the case’s continuation remains unconfirmed, the Ontario Court of Justice representative in Cobourg could not provide a specific timeline.