Man Exonerated and Ruined

November 23, 2005 permalink

This is a familiar story pattern. A father is accused of a sexual impropriety and exonerated. But as a result of actions during the pendency of the charges, his family and career are destroyed. In this case, the fatal blow was putting his name on the child abuse register, ending his career as a teacher.

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On June 24, 2004 my daughter's 11 year old female friend accused me of touching her. I was charged, arrested and placed in custody. The CAS of Bruce County got immediately involved and insisted my daughters go to their mother's house.

The next day I was transported to Owen Sound but was unable to have a bail hearing, so spent that night in the Owen Sound jail. Kara Wall, the CAS worker, visited me and told me that I was to have no contact with anyone under 16.

The following day I was granted bail. With input from the CAS and my ex-wife, my bail conditions included that I could not live in Bruce County. So I went to Brantford to live with my parents.

The CAS worker called and insisted that I sign a voluntary agreement or they would hound me until I did. They also intimidated my partner who was still living in our home in Wiarton to sign one as well. When our lawyer found out, he helped us to revoke our agreements. It was after this the CAS made a motion to intervene to place my partner's 15 year old son in protective custody. We made a counter motion, it went to court in February and we won. We are still waiting for the Justice's decision on whether the CAS will pay court costs. The CAS then placed me on the Child Abuse Register. Requests for expunction have been deferred to a hearing yet to be heard.

In August 2004, my bail terms were modified to allow me to live back in Bruce County, but one of my parents had to live with me. Also, it was modified to stipulate no contact with minor females. Because of this, I was placed on administrative leave without pay from the Bluewater District School Board.

My ex-wife finally filed for divorce and wanted sole custody of my daughters. There was a case conferrence and the judge made an interm order that I have no contact with my daughters. I haven't seen them since June 24, 2004.

In May, I had my days in court and was aquitted. The school board reassigned me to teach a grade 2 class in the fall. Near the end of September my union called to inform me the school board had received a letter from the CAS three weeks earlier. The letter stated I was not to be placed in a position of trust with children.

The CAS wanted me to sign a consent to allow them to share information with the school board. My union said no way. The school board placed me on administrative leave without pay for insubordination. The union has my consent to view the CAS's information, but the CAS is too busy to have time to send them the files. Instead they have written the union stating that while the court might have aquitted me, they have a higher burden of proof and feel that I am guilty. Because of this, the union's two grievances have been denied by the board and it will be going to an arbitrator. If I win the arbitration, I will go back to the classroom and the Union will sue the CAS for lost wages. If I lose the arbitration, my teaching career will be over but the Union intends to sue the CAS for potential earnings that have been lost.

This is the short version. I could provide more detail if you want. Also, if anybody you know wants to pick up a torch for me, I'm all for it.

Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx
email: xxxxx@xxxx.com

Name masked by request.