HB NEWS TEACHER ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE, PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@metroland.com former Georgetown Dis- trict High School teacher is fac- ing several allegations of profes- sional misconduct, including the sexual abuse of a student. According to a hearing notice from the discipline committee of ie Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), Darren Mansfield is al- leged to have had sex with a fe- male student " ‘on multiple occa- sions" between June and Sep- tember 2016 and provided her al- cohol one or more times. The document details other interactions he allegedly had with four other female students between 2016 and 2021, including that he: told one of them he "had kissed three of his students," al- TRY OUR NEW YELLOW LAB BLONDE ESPRESSO! lowed a student to visit his home, had dinner at a restau- rant with a student, and ex- changed personal text messag- es, emails and social media mes- sages with cauitiple students, with si Kathryn Boyle photo Darren Mansfield was a former teacher at Georgetown District High School. ind that he tions teeing nat he was mn. ‘Attempts to reach Mansfield for comment were unsuccessful. e OCT" cally o1 i “committed acts that, having re- gard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dis. tee notice says it will soon holda hearing to "decide whether the allegations are true" and if Mansfield is guilty of profes- sonal misconduct. A date has yet to be set. The allegations have not been tested. Under the Ontario College of Teachers Act, it's alleged that Mansfield abused a student or students sexually, psychologi- Direct from the Roastery pY-VINY{-Va-Yo Mats lapmxom cell me lele) a ORDER ONLINE (@ BLACKCREEKCOFFEE The ages “Of the students in- volved were not included in the documentation, | “ane their grades were red: Halton District ‘School Board communications manager Mar- nie Denton said the board is aware of the allegations and the OCT hearing process. She said that Mansfield is no longer em- ployed by the board. Lisa Zablotny, RPN OWNER SERVING HALTON HILLS & SURROUNDING AREA WITH OVER 14 YEARS OF DIVERSE NURSING CARE. “Mansfield was assigned home as soon as we were made rare of the allegations," she said. "A board investigation was , in partnership with the ‘Halton Children's Aid Soci- ety and in consultation with the Halton Regional Police child abuse and sexual assault unit, according to our procedures." Halton Regional Police media relations officer Ryan Anderso! said the local department “did not receive a criminal complaint and no person has come forward to make a report" regarding Mansfield's alleged conduct. HALTON RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABU + Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit: 905-825-4777 «Halton Women'sPlace: 905-878-8555 (north) or 905-332-7892 (24-hour crisis line) + Halton Children's Aid Society: 905-: il 4441 or 1-866-607-5437 ‘Nina's Place: 905-336-: 4116 or 905-681-4880 “Thrive Counselling: 905-637-5956 or 905-845-3811 + Sexual Assault and Violence fitervention Services (SAVIS) of re 1555 (24-hour crisis line). "No criminal charges have been laid by the Halton Regional Police Service," he said. According to the OCT web- site, Mansfield has been a teach- er since 2004. He had his certif- icate of qualification and regis- allegations have been heard by the discipline committee. Elite Home Nursing Care It's MORE THAN just NURSING CARE ~ KC A a Registered Practical Nurse designed ito ENHANCE the QUALITY of LIFE! Care by CHOOSE Elite Home Nursing for exceptional nursing care that's all encompassing from hygiene and daily living care to respite, post-operative and palliative care. + Urgent, Short Term & Long Term Care Options + Personalized Care Plans - Basic to Advanced for Medical Care or Wellness Care * No Contracts or Minimums - provides you savings over larger agencies © 416-833-8203 © www.elitehomenursingcare.ca NH UONEH - dl UL | © a Fy 2 a S = ey Ed 5 2 2 iS 8 8 8 eordyouy