Toronto Police have charged a 56 year old man who teaches special needs students, with sexual assault.

Kearsley Peters was arrested and charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual interference and assault.

Cops say the alleged assaults involved a 12 year old boy at a home in the Markham Road and Sheppard Avenue East area between September 4th of last year and March 7th of this year.  

Officers claim a second alleged assault happened in the same home, involving a different 12 year old boy, over the same time period.

Police believe there may be more victims and Police have revealed Peters is a teacher at White Haven Junior Public School in the Markham and Sheppard area.

Here is the letter the Toronto District School Board sent home to parents:

Dear Parents/Guardians:

This letter is to inform you that on Thursday, March 7, Mr. Kearsley Peters, a teacher at our
school, was arrested and charged with assault, sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual
exploitation. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving students. School staff are cooperating
with police in its investigation.

Upon learning of the allegations, staff acted immediately to send the employee home and call
appropriate contacts, both at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and outside the TDSB.
Pending outcome of this matter, a supply teacher has been retained while Mr. Peters remains on
suspension.

While it is important to remember that laying criminal charges does not constitute guilt, and that a
person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, we also cannot and do not take these
allegations lightly. As you know, the safety of our students is a top priority and we are committed
to enforcing TDSB policies about the safety and well-being of students.

We know that this situation may be upsetting for some of our students and will ensure that supports
are in place for those students. TDSB staff is available to our school to help students with any
questions or concerns they might have.

Our practice in a situation like this is to share as much information as we can with you. Please do
keep in mind that, because this is a police matter, there is much information that we cannot share
or do not know. Be assured that we will continue to provide you with any additional information
that we are permitted to share in the future.

We have arranged a meeting for parents on Wednesday, March 20 at 6:00 pm in the gymnasium,
so that we can review procedures and respond as best we can to any questions you might have.
Thank you in advance for your support and understanding. Please feel free to contact the school or
the Superintendent of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins at 416-396-9178, if you have any
questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Rajaindra Singh,
Principal

Colleen Russell-Rawlins,
Superintendent of Education, East Region 19