Bonnyville trial for Janelle Arnold scheduled January 2026

Janelle Arnold’s trial on the original charges laid by the Bonnyville RCMP has an official start date.  

A jury trial is scheduled to begin on January 22, 2026, at the Bonnyville Provincial Court for the former Bonnyville teacher. 

Her latest update on matters from June 17 allowed the situation to proceed. The accused was not present. 

The terms of her bail release hearing in late March state Arnold must reside with her parents in Irma, Alberta and remain there 24 hours per day unless it’s a medical emergency or court appearance.

The conditions also state she is, “Not to possess any electronic devices capable of accessing the internet, with limited but stringent conditions.”

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. 

The charges announced at the time were sexual assault and sexual interference with a child.

Several names of youths are protected under a publication ban in anticipation of the trial. 

The victim was not a student of Duclos Elementary School at the time, Bonnyville RCMP said. 

Wainwright charges

Multiple trials are anticipated for the three separate occasions the 35-year-old Arnold was charged. 

After being released from custody following her initial arrest, just weeks later in Wainwright in October 2024, it is alleged she attempted to lure a child to her hotel room. 

Those charges of luring a child under 16 years old, invitation to sexual touching, and failing to comply with a release order, will advance next in Wainwright on November 13, 2025. 

She was remanded into custody following this arrest. 

New Zealand

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.