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Peel police ask for witnesses of alleged child abuse at Robert Land Academy
Peel police said Monday they are leading an investigation into alleged child abuse at Robert Land Academy, a former private boarding school for boys in West Lincoln.
They are asking for any residents to provide witness statements or information related to their investigation.
The military-style boarding school permanently closed last June, after nearly 47 years in operation.
The academy in Wellandport had been rocked by allegations of abuse, including student-on-student and in at least one case, faculty-on-student.
The school said that it closed due to declining enrollment — an around 44 per cent drop according to an old post on the school’s official website.
Former students spoke at Queen’s Park in October to push the Ontario government for better vetting of private school staff, as more allegations of terror at the academy came to light.
READ MORE: Niagara’s Robert Land Academy closing in June amid abuse allegations
NDP MPP Chandra Pasma joined the former students in their call for Premier Doug Ford’s government to strengthen protections for students.
The school faced several lawsuits from former students, some alleging reports of students trying to escape, and a 2010 story by CHCH News reporting that a student was struck and killed by a car after jumping out of his mother’s vehicle during a trip back to the facility.
Years later, with the academy filing for bankruptcy, the lawyer representing the roughly 130 clients said all claims were stayed. He said that not only the claims that were already issued, but also any further claims that come forward.
Officers are asking for anyone with information to contact police at 905-453-2121, ext. 3466.
Tips can also be provided anonymously by reaching out to Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online here.
