Latest news with #childabuse
CBC
39 minutes ago
- CBC
Edmonton piano, violin teacher charged with sexual offences against 9-year-old student
Social Sharing An Edmonton man who taught private music lessons has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference against one of his young students. Peter Burandt, 68, was arrested this week, with police saying Wednesday that a nine-year-old girl reported he sexually assaulted her on several occasions during piano lessons in his home. The alleged incidents took place between February 2024 and June 2025, according to court information. The Edmonton Police Service said Burandt has been teaching music lessons for two decades. Investigators believe there could be more alleged victims, and are asking anyone who may have information to contact police. Burandt was previously publicly listed as a teacher at a south-side business that offers private music lessons, but on Wednesday afternoon, his profile on the school website was removed. The owner of the school told CBC News that Burandt hasn't worked there for approximately seven years. He has been released under conditions that include no contact or communication with anyone younger than 16, according to police. Burandt is set to appear in court next month. Several teachers or coaches have been charged with sexual offences involving children in recent months. That includes a former Edmonton Catholic Schools teacher facing child pornography offences who police believe has fled the country. Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre CEO Emmy Stuebing said cases of alleged abuse by someone in a position of authority over children tend to raise broader public concerns. "When these situations arise, I know they can be scary for parents, but they can use it as a bit of a tool to help reinforce the flow of conversation and the opportunity to talk, to check in with your kids," she said. "Let them know that as a parent or a safe caregiver, you're there to talk. And if someone is making them feel uncomfortable, or is hurting them, to talk to you." Stuebing said it's important for adults to report concerns to authorities if a child discloses abuse. "If we don't … we can't help with the services and support."
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Music teacher charged with sexual assault of 9-year-old girl
Police have charged 68-year-old Peter Burandt with sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl. Burandt has been a music teacher in Edmonton for 20 years. (Supplied) Edmonton police have charged 68-year-old Peter Burandt with sexual assault. Burandt is accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year old girl during piano lessons in his home several times between 2024 and 2025, the Edmonton Police Service said. Burandt has been a music teacher in Edmonton for 20 years, teaching piano and violin to children. Burandt Police have charged 68-year-old Peter Burandt with sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl. Burandt has been a music teacher in Edmonton for 20 years. (Caesar's School of Music) Investigators believe there may be more victims, and are encouraging anyone who may have been assaulted by Burandt to come forward. Burandt is not to have any contact or communication with anyone under the age of 16. He is listed as a teacher at Caesar's School of Music and Elite School of Music. Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by Burandt is asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Flight attendant who police say secretly recorded girls in airplane bathroom sentenced to 18.5 years
A flight attendant accused of taping his cellphone to the lid of an airplane toilet to secretly film young girls was sentenced to just under 20 years in prison Wednesday. Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III received a sentence of 18.5 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick called his behavior 'appalling" and said child victims' 'innocence has been lost' because of his actions. Thompson was arrested and charged in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the lavatory. He was indicted last year on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images depicting a prepubescent minor. He apologized in court Wednesday, describing his actions as 'selfish, perverse and wrong.' Police alleged Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls between the ages of 7 and 14 using aircraft lavatories over a 9-month period. In a sentencing memorandum submitted in court, U.S. government attorneys said Thompson 'robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world and the people they would encounter in it, instead leaving them with fear, mistrust, insecurity, and sadness.' Thompson, who will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, his attorneys said. A lawyer for Thompson said via email Wednesday he wouldn't be commenting.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
Flight attendant who police say secretly recorded girls in airplane bathroom sentenced to 18.5 years
BOSTON (AP) — A flight attendant accused of taping his cellphone to the lid of an airplane toilet to secretly film young girls was sentenced to just under 20 years in prison Wednesday. Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III received a sentence of 18.5 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick called his behavior 'appalling' and said child victims' 'innocence has been lost' because of his actions. Thompson was arrested and charged in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the lavatory. He was indicted last year on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images depicting a prepubescent minor. He apologized in court Wednesday, describing his actions as 'selfish, perverse and wrong.' Police alleged Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls between the ages of 7 and 14 using aircraft lavatories over a 9-month period. In a sentencing memorandum submitted in court, U.S. government attorneys said Thompson 'robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world and the people they would encounter in it, instead leaving them with fear, mistrust, insecurity, and sadness.' Thompson, who will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, his attorneys said. A lawyer for Thompson said via email Wednesday he wouldn't be commenting.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
South Florida judge rules Jorge Barahona competent to stand trial in daughter's 2011 murder
A South Florida judge ruled Wednesday that the defendant in one of the most notorious child abuse cases in Florida history is mentally competent to stand trial. The ruling clears the way for trial proceedings to resume after years of delays. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson said Jorge Barahona, 58, can stand trial for the 2011 murder of his 10-year-old daughter, Nubia Barahona. "At this point in time, it's the court's opinion that Mr. Barahona is competent to proceed, and all parties should continue trial proceedings," said Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson, who made the ruling after hearing expert testimony from doctors and mental health evaluators. Judge Wolfson concluded that Barahona meets the legal criteria to proceed to trial. "The court finds that Mr. Barahona: one, appreciates the nature of the charges; two, understands the possible penalties; three, understands the adversarial nature of the legal process; and four, exhibits appropriate courtroom behavior," she said in her ruling. Barahona had been declared incompetent in March 2024 and was transferred to a mental health facility for further evaluation. The latest ruling follows over a year of ongoing assessments. A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. On Valentine's Day 2011, police discovered Nubia's decomposing body in the back of her adoptive father's pesticide truck, parked off I-95 in West Palm Beach. Her twin brother, Victor, was in the front seat, suffering from seizures caused by severe chemical burns. He survived. Jorge and Carmen Barahona adopted the twins in 2009 after fostering them since 2004. Investigators said the children were routinely abused, tied up, starved, and denied medical care. Reports indicated they were sometimes locked in the bathroom of the family's Westchester home for extended periods. Carmen Barahona, now 74, accepted a life sentence in 2020 in exchange for her testimony. Jorge Barahona is facing the death penalty if convicted. The case exposed major failures within Florida's Department of Children and Families. Officials from the agency were criticized for not acting on warnings from medical professionals and school staff. In the aftermath, a task force recommended several reforms, including hiring more child abuse investigators and improving the state's abuse hotline. In 2017, Florida lawmakers approved a $5 million settlement to Victor for the state's role in allowing the adoption despite clear signs of abuse. DCF paid $1.25 million upfront and the remaining $3.75 million after legislative approval. Barahona has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated child neglect. His trial has been repeatedly delayed due to extensive legal proceedings.
