Arrests made in Rehtaeh Parsons investigation
Posted Aug 8, 2013 09:28:47 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The RCMP/Halifax Regional Police Criminal Investigation Division has made two arrests in relation to the Rehtaeh Parsons investigation.
Police say at 8 a.m. this morning, investigators arrested two males at their respective homes in Halifax Regional Municipality.
RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae says they are in police custody and are currently being questioned by investigators.
“The investigators from the Criminal Investigation Division are going to be interviewing two males today and no further information will be released at this time,” said MacRae.
Police have 24 hours to release the pair or lay charges.
Parsons, 17, was taken off life-support following a suicide attempt in April.
Her family says she was bullied for months after a digital photo of her allegedly being sexually assaulted was passed around her school.
Police re-opened the case following national outrage, which also prompted the Nova Scotia Government to launch reviews of the RCMP’s original investigation into the case and the Halifax Regional School Board’s handling of the matter.
An independent review released in June concluded the Halifax Regional School Board could have done a better job, but it was hindered by the fact that Rehtaeh was often absent from class.
Reaction
Rehteah’s mother says she’s relieved by the two arrests in her daughter’s case.
Leah Parsons says a police officer showed up at her door this morning to inform her of the new developments.
She says she hopes charges are laid.
Meanwhile Glen Canning, Reteah’s father, says he had mixed emotions upon learning that two arrests have been made in his daughter’s case.
He says police told him this morning that two males were taken into custody in Halifax for questioning.
Canning says he feels that there has been some justice in the case.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also weighed in.
Harper says he hopes arrests made in the case provide a measure of comfort to the teenage girl’s family, adding he was pleased to hear that progress is being made in the case.
Speaking in Saint John where he was touring the Irving Oil refinery, Harper said Rehtaeh’s death was a terrible tragedy that touched people across Canada.
News 95.7 also took to the streets of Cole Harbour to get reaction from residents of Parsons’ hometown.
“I think it’s about time they stepped down on those who are doing the cyberbullying and if this helps along the way of getting something going that’s a great thing,” said Darlene.
Susan adds “I feel a bit of relief and satisfaction and hopeful that something will be done.”
Some say the evidence will do the talking Ken says “I think if they have good solid evidence by all means arrest them and do what you have to do and if they don’t have good evidence they have their rights so we’ll see how that works out. ”
Others would like more harsher punishment for those who continue to break the law “these repeat offenders usually kids, should be sent to the penitentiary for not less than 12 years so they don’t keep showing up in court and costing the tax payers money and if they’re too young sentence their parents to Dorchester for 12 years,” said John.
