13-year-old girl seeks reduced sentence after forced strip searches during manslaughter case.
13-year-old girl seeks reduced sentence after forced strip searches during manslaughter case. The teen, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the alleged swarming of a homeless Toronto man, claims she was repeatedly stripped naked during searches while in custody. The girl, who was 13 at the time of her arrest, was forced to strip naked on four occasions at a Kingston facility and twice in London facility during her time in custody on unrelated charges. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services policy on in-custody searches states that while routine strip searches are permitted, "the young person must not be completely undressed for any period of time." The girl testified that she still feels shame and humiliation from the searches and has struggled with body image issues since childhood. At least two other girls who have pleaded guilty in the case are expected to make submissions related to strip searches. The remaining four girls are set to be tried in Superior Court next year.