6 days ago
Student changing incident at Vancouver school not criminal, police say
There was nothing criminal about an incident at a Vancouver school that raised the concerns of a local mother earlier this month, according to police.
Jasmine Barahona spoke out after her six-year-old son returned home from χpey̓ Elementary on May 7 wearing different clothes, and told her a man had changed him in the school's basement.
The incident prompted separate investigations from the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Police Department, and a school district staff member was placed on leave.
On Thursday, police confirmed their investigation has concluded.
'It was determined no criminal offence occurred,' Const. Tania Visintin told CTV News, in a statement.
Visintin also said the mother 'did the right thing' by coming forward.
'Any time anyone comes forward with safety concerns or safety concerns for their child, we will absolutely conduct a thorough investigation,' she added.
Contacted for comment, Barahona told CTV News she had not been informed of the outcome of the investigation – and that she still has questions about what happened at the school.
'All I wanted was answers,' Barahona said, of her decision to speak out.
The mother said she's been told the incident happened because an employee thought her son 'looked wet.'
'His story was that he let (my son) pick out clothes in this room, then he stood outside as he got dressed and said, 'If you need help, say so.' And he said he did, and then helped him pull up his pants,' Barahona said.
The mother said she's received inconsistent messages from the district and police, leaving her skeptical about the process.
She pulled her son out of class following the incident, and remains unsure about allowing him to return.
The Vancouver School Board told CTV News its internal investigation is ongoing. A spokesperson could not provide any information on the process, citing privacy concerns, but said the district is taking the mother's concerns 'very seriously.'
'Our top priority is student safety and well-being,' the spokesperson said.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Isabella Zavarise
