Former Ottawa teacher dies in custody before sentencing

Shannon Quinn, a former teacher who pleaded guilty to having sexual relations with two 17-year-old students, has died in custody. She passed away on March 12 while being supervised in a hospital. Her defense lawyer, Sean May, stated that she was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, describing her illness as "very tragic, fast, and aggressive." Quinn had been in custody after breaching her bail conditions. She was released in 2020 under strict rules, which included not being around minors without supervision. Her bail was revoked after she was spotted at an ice rink without her sureties. In January, Quinn pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation. This involved having sex with two boys while in a position of trust. The identities of the students remain confidential due to a publication ban. Prior to her arrest, Quinn worked for the Ottawa Catholic School Board, but her teaching status was inactive as of April 2024. Details from the court revealed that Quinn engaged in flirtatious conversations with one student, which escalated to sexual encounters. After their first sexual encounter, their communication declined, with the student becoming less responsive to her messages. Quinn was arrested in August 2023. Following her guilty plea, the court ordered psychiatric and sexual behavior assessments. A sentencing hearing was expected on March 3 but did not occur due to her death. At a brief court session, the judge expressed condolences to Quinn's family. The maximum penalty for sexual exploitation is 14 years in prison.