Kelsey Albert Dana McKay, 51, was arrested and charged with five counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual exploitation, four counts of seduction and one count of sexual assault. None of the allegations have been proven in court. “He took care of them,” said Const. said Dani McKinnon at a news conference Wednesday. “I will not be surprised if after that… sex crimes may receive additional phone calls.” McKinnon has confirmed that he is still a teacher at Vincent Massey. McKay was released on bail after being charged. Vincent Massey is in the Pembina Trails School Division and Churchill is in the Winnipeg School Division. Both departments said they were working with researchers.
He was put on unpaid leave
Ted Frances, head of the Pembina Trails department, briefed parents and students on the arrest and charges Wednesday, a day after the department was notified.
McKay is currently Vincent Massey’s teacher and has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, Frances wrote in an email.
He will not be allowed to enter the school.
“We learned about this only yesterday. We want to reassure the Massey community that we will act as soon as possible to respond to any developments on this issue and to support our students and staff,” said Fransen.
A spokesman for the Winnipeg school district said police notified the department on Wednesday morning of the impending announcement.
News of this alleged breach of trust is devastating to our school community – Radean Carter, WSD spokeswoman
“WSD strongly supports our safe and secure schools and the well-being of our students, and the news of this alleged breach of trust is devastating to our school community,” WSD spokesman Radean Carter said in an email.
WSD Education Supervisor Celia Caetano-Gomes also said the department is reaching out to families of Churchill High School students to connect them with clinical support services for their children.
“The circumstances of this arrest are still being investigated, however, we are deeply concerned about the health and well-being of all our students,” Caetano-Gomes said in a statement to parents.
“The brave survivor came forward”
During the press conference, police said the Sex Crimes Unit contacted five adults this month who claimed McKay had sexually assaulted them between 2004 and 2011 while they were students and playing football for Churchill and Vincent Massey. They were told by police that the same man had sexually assaulted them while teaching physical education and coaching football, first to Churchill and later to Vincent Massey. Most of the alleged attacks took place at McKay’s home, McKinnon said. McKinnon said McKay forged relationships beyond what is usually expected of coaches and teachers. “He is a person in a position of trust and then this relationship starts this way and unfortunately he breaks these lines,” he said. There is always the possibility of other people showing up, as McKay has a “long tenure in the football community,” he said. McKinnon has praised former players for their presence, including the person who provided details on the oldest number in the survey, since 2004. “A very brave survivor appeared,” he said. Anyone with information that could help the researchers please call 204-986-6245. Support for survivors and others is available through the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631 or through the Winnipeg Police Victims Service at 204-986-6350.
