Arnold to go to trial in Bonnyville & Wainwright; bail granted with several conditions

Image: Previous headshot of Janelle Arnold while on staff at Duclos School. She has not worked there since the initial arrest. 

Janelle Arnold is going to trial and has been released on bail with a series of conditions. 

In fact, there are multiple trials scheduled for the former Duclos Elementary school teacher, who faces sexual assault, sexual contact with a child, and child luring charges from three separate incidents. 

Arnold elected to be heard by a judge and jury in her April 3rd appearance in Wainwright, according to court check information.

The original arrest in Bonnyville, announced publicly on Sept. 11, 2024 details an alleged assault and subsequent payment to a child to keep quiet about the incident. This matter will return to Bonnyville on June 17, 2025.

The charges fall under sexual assault and sexual interference with a child.

The charges related to the arrest in Wainwright in Oct. 2024 while on release conditions will go to preliminary hearing in anticipation of trial in Wainwright on Nov. 13, 2025.

This incident alleges attempting to luring a youth and their friends to a hotel room, and the charges fall under Luring a child under 16 years old, invitation to sexual touching), and failing to comply with a release order. She was remanded into custody afterwards.

Bonnyville RCMP laid another charge of failing to comply with a release order in November 2024, stemming from contact with youth online in the weeks between her first charge and her remand.

It is alleged Arnold sent money and gifts to two youths in New Zealand during this time. That trial is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026.

The majority of court proceedings have been conducted to this point in Wainwright.

Bail

After being in custody since the October 2024 incident, Arnold appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Friday, March 21, speaking to Wainwright and Bonnyville charges.

She was released on a release order with several conditions.

These conditions may include, but are not limited to:

• Reside with her parents in Irma, Alberta and remain there 24 hours per day unless it’s a medical emergency or court appearance.
• Remain in Alberta.
• Not seek or maintain any volunteer position in a position of trust or authority over a person under 16 years.
• No contact or communication with any person under 16 yrs.
• May have supervised communication & contact with own biological children.
• Not to attend any public swimming pool, school, public library, daycare, playground or youth shelter.
• Not to possess any electronic devices capable of accessing the internet, with limited but stringent conditions