Quebec school board reassures parents after reports of Karla Homolka living among them

Aschool and school board southof Montreal aretrying to calm concerns from parents after media reported convicted killerKarlaHomolkaand her family are living in the community.

A letter went home to parents at Centennial Park Elementary School inChteauguayon Tuesday.

"Our community is dealing with a difficult situation and many of you have questions and concerns," school principalJoanneDaviauwrote. "Please be assured that your children are safe when they are at school."

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The letter says the New Frontiers School Boardbrought the information to theChteauguaypolice after a reporter went door to door to ask if people knewHomolkawasliving in the area.

"As you know, under Quebec law, all children have the right to privacy and an obligation to be in school,"Daviauwrote. "This is why I cannot comment any further or provide any personal information about any family."

Homolka,wholegally changed her name toLeanneTeale, was released from prison in 2005.

In 1995, her thenhusband, PaulBernardo, was found guilty in the kidnapping, rape and murder of teenagers LeslieMahaffyand Kristen French. The pair were arrested in 1993.

In a deal with the Ontario Crown attorneys in exchange for testifying againstBernardo,Homolkawas sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter for her role in the murders.Bernardowas given life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years, and laterdeclared adangerous offender.

After her releasefrom prison,HomolkalivedinQuebec and the Caribbean.She married and had children.

In an interview with Radio-Canada after her release,Homolkaexpressed concern about the greater public's perception of her and her crimes.

"I don't want people to think that I am someone dangerous who will do something to their children," she said.

SylvieBordelais, the lawyer who representedHomolkaafter her release from prison and sat beside her in that 2005 television appearance, declined a request for an interview.

In anemailedstatement, she criticized themedia for the "dirty work" done in reporting the story ofHomolka'swhereabouts.

"My only comment for the moment is that I see this as apublic lynchingstarted by your colleagues, and inciting hate and intimidation towardschildren who are not yet 10 years old, generated by your journalistic practices," she wrote.

Homolkacompleted her prison sentence in full 11 years ago and didn't seek early parole.

Right to privacy?

The question ofhow much the public should know about someone likeHomolkaafterareleasefrom prison has no simple answer. Parents inChteauguayare angry they learned aboutHomolka'sapparent move to the community through the media.

But Montreal criminal lawyer Eric Sutton points out that legally, sincethere's no suggestion she's been involved in any criminal activitysince her sentence was served, she has every right to put her past behind her.

'I don't know where she can live safely'

8 years ago

Duration 0:40

Montreal criminal lawyer Eric Sutton says Karla Homolka has served her time and legally has the right to live where she chooses.

"Like it or not, she has the right to live her life like any other person, without being subject to threats and harassment and being hounded to the point that she seeks refuge in her own home and is afraid to leave," he said.

"I think it behooves the authoritiesto make a statement just to calm the air and indicate there will be no police action. If anyone needs protection here, it's probably her."

Chteauguaypolice wouldnot comment onHomolka'sresidency.

"TheChteauguaypolice would like to remind people that it cannot confirm the identity of a person living in the area or not," police said in astatement.

"Its mission is to promote peace, order and quality of life of all of its citizens and visitors in the area, in respect with the Canadian and Quebec charters of rights and liberties."

The New Frontiers School Board released its own statementWednesday afternoon that said there are policies in place to ensure adults who work or volunteer directly with students have criminal background checks and that access to the school is controlled during the day.

The board also says it set up a team of psychologists andcounsellorsat the school and urged any parents concerned about their child's emotional state to contact the principal.