Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in Belleville. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
A Hastings Prince Edward District School Board teacher accused of sexually abusing minors is expected to enter a guilty plea in March to some of the more than 40 charges against her.
Jaclyn McLaren, 36 appeared for pretrial proceedings at the Quinte Consolidated Courthouse Monday morning.
A somber McLaren stood before Justice Stephen Hunter with her lawyer Pieter Kort.
She only nodded and said ‘yes’ when spoken to.
The Stirling woman is a facing 42 charges including multiple counts of child luring, sexual exploitation, sexual interference, sexual assault of a person under 16, making child pornography and making sexually explicit material available to a person under the ages of 16 and 18.
On February 14, 2016, Central Hastings OPP launched an investigation into sexual offences that occurred in Tweed against young people between the ages of 12 and 15. These offences reportedly took place from 2013-2016.
Kort would comment on which or how many of the charges his client will plead guilty to.
Justice Hunter said on March 7, pre-sentence and sexual offender assessment reports will be ordered.
He said this matter will proceed without trial and sentencing will likely commence 10 weeks after March 7.
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board communications officer Kerry Donnell, who was present in court respectfully declined to comment on the matter as it is still before the courts.
“Once the court process has concluded the internal process will progress as it normally would in such matters,” said Donnell in an interview.
