Amy Hood decision details what led to teacher luring boys

"I felt like I was 18"

A judge's decision to convict former Nova Scotia school teacher Amy Hood of sex offences involving teenage boys examines the woman's slide into mental illness and theories of whether she was criminally responsible for the crimes.

Provincial court Judge Del Atwood found Hood, 39, guilty earlier this week of sexual assault, sexual interference and luring involving two former students. The offences happened in the summer of 2013 when Hood was a Grade 6 teacher at Thorburn Consolidated School in Pictou County.

Subsequent to the encounters, Hood was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her lawyer argued she should be found not criminally responsible due to mental illness.

At her trial, coworkers and family members testified they noticed changes in Hood's behaviour in the spring of 2013. The previously quiet and well-liked teacher became much more talkative and was often texting on her phone.  (more...)

Amy Hood decision details what led to teacher luring boys