11-08-2025
Crown prosecutor stays criminal charges against Whitehorse parent
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Criminal charges filed against a Whitehorse parent have been stayed.
Kenechukwu Onwudinjo was facing two charges of mischief and two charges of harassment in connection with an incident at Holy Family Elementary School in May 2024, which triggered a hold-and-secure and a police investigation. Onwudinjo was a candidate in the school council election at the time of the incident.
Onwudinjo, who was self-represented in court, pleaded not guilty to the charges earlier this year.
In an emailed statement to CBC, Onwudinjo said she experienced racial discrimination and bullying within the education system. She said she had a series of disagreements with school administrators that year, partially related to Onwudinjo speaking against rainbow flags being displayed at the Catholic elementary school. She said she filed a complaint to the Yukon Human Rights Commission on May 28.
On June 26, the Crown offered to resolve the matter with a common law peace bond, which Onwudinjo rejected.
After meeting with "the various stakeholders," it was decided that it was not in the public interest to continue the prosecution, according to Crown prosecutor Ben Brillantes.
Brillantes said there are guidelines that inform the decision to pursue charges, including the use of public resources. The Crown could also consider whether the accused may have been subject to systemic discrimination or may have mental health challenges, Brillantes said.
"This is not to say that any of these elements were present here, but these are examples of factors for consideration," Brillantes said in an emailed statement.
Stayed charges are not permanently dismissed. They remain on the accused person's public record and they can be reinstated by the Crown.
