A Toronto school principal has been charged with assault in connection with an incident involving a student last month.
Toronto police said the incident occurred at Chester Elementary School, which is located near Pape and Gowan avenues in East York, on Sept. 19 and was reported to authorities a week later.
According to police, it was reported that a nine-year-old was involved in a fight with another kid when the principal intervened.
Police allege that the child began to spit at the principal and was becoming violent.
“At that point, the principal then allegedly threw the kid on to the ground and stomped on him and kicked him,” Const. Allyson Douglas-Cook told CP24.
Douglas-Cook said the parent of the child involved in the incident reported the altercation to the Children’s Aid Society, who then contacted the authorities.
In a letter sent to parents, which was obtained by CTV News Toronto, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) said that the alleged incident occurred on school grounds. The principal has been placed on home assignment, they said, where he will remain “pending outcome of the matter.”
“While it is important to remember that laying criminal charges does not constitute guilt, and that a person is innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law, we also cannot and do not take these allegations lightly. The safety of students is a top priority at the TDSB and we are committed to enforcing policies about their well-being,” the TDSB letter reads.
“We know that this situation may be upsetting for some students and will ensure that supports are in place for them. TDSB staff is available to the school to help students with any questions or concerns they might have.”
The TDSB identified the principal as Sean Hume.
He was charged with assault on Wednesday and appeared in court on the same day, police said.
Hume was also a volunteer with Scouts Canada, John Petitti, the executive director of the organization, confirmed to CP24. In a statement, Petitti said that authorities did not notify the organization of the investigation or the charges.
“As per our safety policies, Mr. Hume has been terminated from his Scouting role given that he has been criminally charged,” he said.
