Toronto police find 'no evidence' in investigation into Black 6-year-old allegedly locked in small room at school

Toronto police found 'no evidence' to support laying charges against elementary school staff who allegedly forcibly confined a six-year-old Black student – a decision advocates say is 'anchored in anti-Black racism.'

Toronto police found “no evidence” to support laying charges against elementary school staff who allegedly forcibly confined a six-year-old Black student in a closet-sized room – a decision advocates say is “anchored in anti-Black racism.”

A parent at John Fisher Junior Public School, located in midtown Toronto, came forward with allegations of dozens of racist acts toward her and her son.

“The Toronto Police Service found no evidence to support the laying of any charges and concluded that there was nothing to indicate that the staff’s actions were based on race,” according to an Ontario Principals’ Council message on May 8.

Toronto-based advocacy group Parents of Black Children (PoBC) told CTV News Toronto the findings did not come as a surprise, since Black families “very rarely” get justice in police investigations.

It is “abundantly clear” an anti-Black racism lens was not utilized in the investigation, the organization said.

“Anti-Black racism IS violence; it can also be nuanced for those not versed in its experience or the ability to understand and identify anti-Black racism,” advocates said in a statement on Thursday.

“The fact that the justice system has not caught up to addressing very real instances of inhumane treatment anchored in anti-Black racism in no way invalidates the experience of the child and family involved.”