Teenage Girl in Toronto Swarming Case Seeks Reduced Sentence After Multiple Strip Searches in Custody
Toronto, August 29, 2024 – A teenage girl, involved in the tragic swarming attack that led to the death of Kenneth Lee, a homeless man in downtown Toronto in December 2022, is seeking a reduced sentence after revealing that she was subjected to multiple strip searches while in custody. The girl, who was 13 years old at the time of her arrest, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the case.
During a court hearing on Wednesday, it was revealed that the teen was strip-searched six times while in custody at two different youth facilities. Four of these searches took place at a facility in Kingston, Ontario, shortly after her arrest, while two more occurred at a facility in London, Ontario, earlier this year, in relation to an unrelated assault charge.
The girl described the searches as deeply humiliating, stating that she felt “dirty” and “really bad” about herself as a result. Her lawyer is arguing for a reduced sentence, citing the violation of government policy and the detrimental impact on her mental health.
This case has drawn attention to the treatment of minors in custody and the policies surrounding strip searches. The court will continue the sentencing hearing next month. Meanwhile, three other girls involved in the incident have pleaded guilty, and four more are awaiting trial on charges ranging from manslaughter to second-degree murder.