An educational assistant with Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB) has been sent on leave after she was arrested Saturday on “deeply troubling” charges, the board said.
Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) said in a news release that the 48-year-old woman — who worked at St. Mary’s Catholic School — was arrested after an investigation revealed she was in an intimate relationship with a 14-year-old boy.
NRPS said detectives with its Child Abuse Unit began an investigation in June into allegations of a sexual assault/sexual interference incident that occurred in Niagara.
Police said the boy was a student of the woman, and the relationship is alleged to have lasted three months.
The Port Colborne woman was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference, police said.
“Detectives have reason to believe there may be more victims,” police said in the release.
Arrest was shocking: NCDSB
In a statement following the arrest, NCDSB’s director of education, Camillo Cipriano, said support is being provided to those who need it.
“The arrest was shocking, and the nature of the charges are deeply troubling,” Cipriano said in the statement. “The staff member is being placed on administrative leave.”
Cipriano said St. Mary Catholic Elementary School and Niagara Catholic will fully cooperate with the police throughout their investigation, adding that Niagara Catholic will follow its established policies and processes to address the matter internally.
“As a community of faith, we pray for everyone affected by this situation. The principal at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School reached out to his staff, parents, and guardians early Sunday morning. This message included how to access support for those who need it,” Cipriano said
He said the board can add no further comment as this is an ongoing investigation.