Canadian music teacher Jennifer Elise Lawrence facing child sex crime charges

A high school music teacher in Canada charged with multiple sex crimes against one of her male students had completed a sexual abuse prevention program before her alleged assaults, authorities said.

Jennifer Elise Lawrence, 31, is charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, child luring, and making sexually explicit materials available to a person under the age of 18 while teaching at Maple Ridge Secondary School in Barrie, Ontario.

The alleged crimes took place between February and April this year, court documents show.

Lawrence qualified as a teacher in January 2021 and had successfully completed a sexual abuse prevention program while working in the profession, according to the Ontario College of Teachers.

She remains in good standing pending the outcome of the charges against her, the teaching regulator states.

Released on $1,000 bond, Lawrence is not allowed to work as a teacher, volunteer, or be in a position of trust or authority or have any contact or communication with children, according to court documents.

The Simcoe County District School Board, which oversees Maple Ridge Secondary School, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the charges against her, or on her status as an employee.

Simcoe County Police and Barrie Police were also approached for comment.

Lawrence’s attorney, Saman Wickramasinghe, did not respond to requests for comment.

She is due in court next on Monday.