Shane Beckett, 53, a prominent local citizen and elementary school principal, was arrested on Tuesday and charged Wednesday with two counts of child luring.
In information provided to The Times by the court, the allegations are that Beckett “between the 9th day of February in the year 2026 and the 13th day of February 2026… by means of telecommunication, communicated with a person who is, or who the accused believes is under the age of 16 years for the purposes of facilitating the commission of an offence.”
In a press relase issued late Thursday, Fort Frances OPP said they executed a warrant on Beckett’s residence and electronic devices were seized.
The OPP noted that Beckett was released on bail to appear at a later date. Beckett’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 2. Beckett’s attorney of record could not immediately be reached for comment.
In Canada, “luring a child” refers to an adult using any form of telecommunications, such as texting, social media, email or online chat, to communicate with someone they believe is a minor for the purpose of committing a sexual offence. The offence focuses on the adult’s intent, not on whether any physical contact occurred or whether a meeting ever took place.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and a court-ordered publication ban has been imposed that prohibits the release of any information that could identify the alleged victims in the case.
The law applies when the accused is trying to persuade, invite, or encourage a person under 18 (or someone they believe is under 18) into illegal sexual activity. Courts look at the content and direction of the communication to determine intent, and the offence is complete even if the “child” is actually an undercover officer. Penalties include mandatory jail time, sex offender registration and restrictions on future contact with minors or internet use.
Parents of students at Robert Moore School in Fort Frances received a message via a school messaging app from the administration Thursday morning.
“We understand that the news of the situation involving our principal is upsetting,” a school administrator said in a post to parents also disseminated via email. “As this is a police matter, we do not have, nor can we share any information.”
The message also said that Vice-Principal Allison Hyatt will take on the acting principal role.
“Please know that our focus remains on supporting students and maintaining a stable, caring environment at school,” the message said. “We ask that families avoid speculation or sharing unverified information, as this can cause unnecessary worry.”
“If you have concerns about your child’s well-being at school, please let us know. We are here to support you.”
The Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB) said Thursday in a press release that it was made aware of the arrest and will “continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement.”
“We recognize that this news is deeply concerning for our students, families, staff, and the broader community. At this time, the individual has been removed from their duties, and the Board is taking all necessary steps to ensure stability and support within the affected school community.”
The RRDSB said it will not provide any additional details on an active police investigation.
“The safety, well-being, and protection of our students and staff remain our highest priority. Our schools continue to be safe, caring learning environments, and we are committed to ensuring that all appropriate supports are available to students, families and employees who may be impacted by this information.”
The board said that assistance for students is available through school-based counselling supports, which can be accessed through the school office.
Anyone with information related to the police investigation is encouraged to contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a report online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
–With files from Ken Kellar and Andrew Flynn
This article has been updated from its original form as new information has become available.
