Shannon Quinn, a former Ottawa Catholic School Board teacher who earlier this year pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting two 17-year-old students, has died in custody before her sentencing could take place.
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Quinn passed away on March 12 under supervision in a hospital after a rapid and aggressive battle with cancer, according to her defense lawyer, Sean May, who confirmed the news after speaking with her family.
“It was very tragic, fast, and aggressive,” May stated regarding the illness that led to her untimely death.
Case Abated Following Death
On Wednesday morning, Ontario Court Justice Michael Boyce formally abated Quinn’s case by death after assistant Crown attorney Stephen Albers informed the court of her passing.
Quinn had pleaded guilty on January 22 to two counts of sexual exploitation for engaging in sexual activity with two male students while in a position of trust and authority over them. The victims’ identities remain protected under a publication ban.
Custody and Legal Proceedings
Following her arrest by Ottawa police in 2020, Quinn was initially released on bail. However, her bail was later revoked after she was seen at an ice rink on two separate occasions without her required sureties, violating court-ordered conditions that prohibited her from being around minors unless accompanied by her parents.
She remained in custody as she awaited sentencing when she fell ill.
Background and Impact
Quinn, who was employed as a teacher with the Ottawa Catholic School Board at the time of the offenses, had been awaiting a court decision on the consequences of her guilty plea before her unexpected passing.
Her case had drawn significant public attention, highlighting concerns over student safety, professional conduct in education, and legal consequences for breaches of trust by authority figures.
With her passing, the legal proceedings against her have come to a close.
