Girl, 15, charged after threat spurs Toronto school to cut year short
A 15-year-old girl has been arrested and charged after an anonymous threat prompted officials at Toronto’s Branksome Hall to end the school year early.
On Monday, June 13, Toronto police received a report of a threatening call received at a school near Mount Pleasant Road and Elm Avenue. The incident happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. and briefly resulted in Branksome Hall being placed under lockdown.
Officers attended the scene and determined the threats were “unfounded.”
No injuries were reported.
Students, however, were sent home for the remainder of the day.
That evening, the independent all-girls private school sent home a letter home to parents advising them that classes were cancelled for the rest of the school year. The last day of classes for the 2021-2022 school year at Branksome Hall was Tuesday, June 14.
In a statement provided to CP24 at the time, Branksome Hall spokesperson Liisa Stephenson said they decided to end the school year early after “carefully weigh(ing) the risks … against the safety of our community.”
She said Branksome Hall made arrangements for exams and worked with parents and staff to “find creative ways to wrap up the end of the year and celebrate our students’ accomplishments.” An on-campus graduation ceremony for the school’s Grade 12 students was held in May, while end-of-year ceremonies for those in Grades 6 to 11 were held “mostly virtual” this week, Stephenson noted.
On Monday, Toronto police arrested a 15-year-old girl.
The accused, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with threatening death, public mischief, and convey false message with intent to alarm. She has an Aug. 15 court date.
Anyone with further information should contact police at 416-808-5300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.222tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.