‘There may be other victims out there’: Sarnia police speak out following arrest of city teacher

Sarnia police have charged a high school teacher with multiple sexual offences allegedly involving several students. Sean Irvine reports.

Sarnia police concede there may be more victims in the wake of the arrest of a teacher on multiple sexual offences.

On Tuesday, staff and students at St.Francois Xavier, a French-language Catholic high school in Sarnia, were said to be deeply concerned for those allegedly victimized by a teacher.

33-year-old Kevin Partington was arrested following a search of a home on Errol Road.

He faces multiple counts.

“He has been charged with four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, as well as with break-and-enter and making child pornography,” confirmed Det. Sgt. Kent Jamieson in an interview with CTV News.

Police confirm their investigation began about two months ago with a complaint. Jamieson says it was not long before they realized they potentially had multiple people involved.

“More than one complaint. That being said, they were from 2023 and 2024. And they were [in] respect to complainants, or victims in this case, that were students at the time,” he said.

Although the investigation took time to play out, the school board reports that the teacher was on administrative leave at the time of his arrest.

The Conseil Scholaire Catholique Providence has made support workers available to students.

The school board has declined interview requests.

Meanwhile, Jamieson is encouraging the story be shared.

“There is a concern, from some, and a belief from others that there may be other victims out there,” he said.

Police also wish for parents to talk to their kids first, and for older students to come forward to police, victim services, or Crime Stoppers if they can help in the investigation.

“There has been a lot of outreach that we have received from concerned parents, both you know, who have children at that school or did at that time. It certainly does bring up a lot of grief,” he said.

Police say the Ontario College of Teachers and other related agencies have been made aware of the counts.

Kevin Partington was remanded following a bail hearing on Monday.