Bowmanville teacher, 60, accused of sex with her student

Jeff Mitchell

A Clarington teacher has been charged with historical sex offences against a teenaged student, and police are now trying to ensure there are no other complainants.

Durham police launched an investigation after a recent disclosure by a man that he and a teacher were involved in a sexual relationship in 1996, when he was 15. The accused was 42 at the time of the alleged offence, police said.

On April 3 Heather Earl, 60, of Aspen Springs Drive in Bowmanville was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. She was released on an undertaking with conditions.

Police issued a press release Tuesday, April 7 containing the allegations and a call for further information. Sergeant Bill Calder said that although investigators have called for other complainants to come forward, there’s no evidence right now of any similar offences.

“It’s protocol in this case,” he said. “Right now we don’t have an indication there are others.”

Greg Kidd, manager of corporate affairs with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, said Ms. Earl is currently on staff at John M. James Public School in Bowmanville, but that she has been suspended.

“She’s a teacher at John M. James, but she’s not in the classroom right now,” Mr. Kidd said.

A letter from principal Mike Menheere was sent home to parents Tuesday, alerting them of the charges.

“The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board takes all such allegations very seriously. Ms. Earl will not be in the classroom or at the school while we await the outcome of the legal proceedings,” the letter states.

“As with all criminal charges Ms. Earl is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.”

Police did not disclose what school the teacher and student were affiliated with at the time of the alleged incident. Mr. Kidd was unable to say where Ms. Earl taught in 1996.

Source: thespec