Parents of some of the eight teenaged boys accused of sexually assaulting four female classmates at a Toronto school last month say the ordeal has been very stressful.
At the boys' court appearance on Thursday, one mother said she has lost 15 kilograms and her son is losing his hair.
The woman, who didn't want to go on camera, told CTV's Roger Petersen she is angry about how the school handled the situation. She feels the incident could have been dealt with without involving police.
The father of another accused told CTV News his son is now afraid to speak to girls.
Lawyer Courtney Betty, who represents one of the boys, said he is optimistic some of the charges will be dropped.
The boys, aged 12 and 13, were arrested on Oct. 4 at Smithfield Middle School, in the city's northwest, after four girls said they were molested.
Police said the charges were laid as a result of four separate incidents on Sept. 25, after classes ended. Some students had stayed behind for a sporting event.
Police laid charges after reviewing video recorded by school security cameras.
The accused, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, face one to four counts each of sexual assault.
Their next court appearance is Dec. 18. A trial is not expected for at least six months.
With a report from CTV's Roger Petersen
