Whisper
November 9th, 2007, 01:28 AM
Boy traumatized by sexual assault charges: parents
The mother of a 13-year-old boy facing sexual assault charges said her son is deeply disturbed by the allegations he faces. Her comments came as her son, along with seven other boys ages 12 and 13, appeared in court to set a date to answer charges they fondled four girls on school property in September.
“He is losing his hair,†said the 51-year-old woman who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/yj/ycja/explan.html), because her son is a minor. “It is falling out because he is so stressed. This was one big misunderstanding that has been blown out of proportion.â€
Eight boys face between one and four counts of sexual assault after four female students reported they had been touched inappropriately after school Sept. 25. The incidents allegedly took place on school property after a basketball game at Smithfield Middle School (http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/smithfield/), in the northwest end of Toronto.
“They were hugging,†said the mother, 51. “I’m not going to say that didn’t happen. But sexual assault? Give me a break.†She said her son told her the boys and girls were all friends and were hanging out just “playing around†after a basketball game.
The father of another 13-year-old accused said his son is too scared to even talk to girls now and is frustrated police, rather than parents, were called in to deal with the situation. “This is going to affect him for the rest of his life,†said the 50-year-old father. “It is very upsetting.â€
The boys are scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 18.
— Story by Jordana Huber, CanWest News Service
The mother of a 13-year-old boy facing sexual assault charges said her son is deeply disturbed by the allegations he faces. Her comments came as her son, along with seven other boys ages 12 and 13, appeared in court to set a date to answer charges they fondled four girls on school property in September.
“He is losing his hair,†said the 51-year-old woman who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/yj/ycja/explan.html), because her son is a minor. “It is falling out because he is so stressed. This was one big misunderstanding that has been blown out of proportion.â€
Eight boys face between one and four counts of sexual assault after four female students reported they had been touched inappropriately after school Sept. 25. The incidents allegedly took place on school property after a basketball game at Smithfield Middle School (http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/smithfield/), in the northwest end of Toronto.
“They were hugging,†said the mother, 51. “I’m not going to say that didn’t happen. But sexual assault? Give me a break.†She said her son told her the boys and girls were all friends and were hanging out just “playing around†after a basketball game.
The father of another 13-year-old accused said his son is too scared to even talk to girls now and is frustrated police, rather than parents, were called in to deal with the situation. “This is going to affect him for the rest of his life,†said the 50-year-old father. “It is very upsetting.â€
The boys are scheduled to appear in court again Dec. 18.
— Story by Jordana Huber, CanWest News Service