THREE MILE PLAINS, N.S. — Jackie Sexton is worried — about her kids, about her daycare and about her mental health.
She’s been on edge ever since Eddie Henshaw, a convicted sex offender, was released on bail for a court matter relating to new allegations in late January.
Sexton owns Bumble Bee Child Care on the same street where Henshaw, who is essentially on house arrest with a few exceptions, is currently residing. Henshaw is under strict release conditions: he’s not allowed to leave the property except to attend court, medical appointments or in the company of his surety, his mother.
But those conditions aren’t strict enough, according to Sexton.
“I’m losing revenue and I’m losing clients,” she said. “I’ve been unable to get new clients because of this situation.”
Sexton is now working two jobs to stay afloat.
Currently, an average of eight children attend the daycare but that number fluctuates.
She also works as a consultant for the Lil’ Jems Family Home Daycare Agency in Yarmouth.
She’s worried the Henshaw situation, especially if there’s a lengthy trial, could lead to having to close her daycare.
“The reason why I bought this house was to open a full daycare space in the apartment downstairs, and I finally got to do it,” she said. “Yes, I work another job, but I need both of them to be financially stable.”
They’re undergoing renovations now to move the daycare upstairs so Sexton’s mother can move into the basement apartment. That hinges on the daycare staying in operation.
“I have a couple of clients that are on the fence because he is so close,” she said. “They like me and what I offer but it’s really hard.”
Alleged incident
She also alleges that Henshaw harassed her, parent Katrina Hines, and children that were with them as they walked to the bus stop on the morning of Feb. 7.
The incident was reported to the police.
Sexton said that as they were approaching the bus stop, Henshaw, who was on his mother’s porch, accosted them, telling them to leave him alone. The two recorded the encounter on their phones, and Hines shared part of the encounter on social media.
Henshaw didn’t leave his mother’s property during the alleged encounter, she said.
“I felt intimidated, and I get that’s what he’s trying to do,” she said.
She said she always records her trip to the bus stop on her phone for her safety.
She added that she suspects Henshaw yelled at them following earlier reporting by CTV News.
“I have depression and I have anxiety and I have to keep myself safe. I’ve never dealt with anything like this in my life,” she said.
Sexton said she hasn’t had any further encounters with Henshaw since that incident.
“He shouldn’t be allowed on his deck and (yelling) at us,” she said. “The children with us were literally holding our legs. They’re nervous around him.”
Sexton said Bumble Bee Child Care and her home is approximately 80 metres away from where Henshaw resides now.
However, a matter of months after his release from serving time on previous charges, Henshaw is back before the court, facing more sex-related charges involving minors, including sexual assault, voyeurism and breaking release conditions.
Concerned about the situation, Sexton contacted the RCMP. She says they explained to her that the court allowed Henshaw to serve his house arrest at his mother’s property under strict conditions.
“I let it go because I knew there was nothing I could do about that,” she said. “My feeling on house arrest is that he can still do whatever he wants.”
Sexton said she would rather Henshaw remain in prison while he awaits his new trial.
Henshaw is back before the court on Feb. 19.
She said that the situation has also impacted her health, causing her to wake up at night, get headaches, become ill from stress, and other factors.
“I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and search every nook and cranny in my house; it’s hard to sleep.”
Sexton said she’s hoping the community will rally around her daycare and help save the business, despite the proximity of Henshaw.
Concerned parent
Hines, one of the clients of the daycare who was there during the encounter with Henshaw, said she’s continuing to support Bumble Bee Child Care for now, despite the situation.
“I feel like at any point in time he could be looking out the window and watching the children,” Hines said. “And the bus stop is right in front of his house. We walk in front of it twice a day.”
Hines said she’s contacted the RCMP, the MLA, the Crown attorney’s office — and all have said that Henshaw is allowed to be there unless he breaks a condition of his release.
“But by then it’s too late,” she said.
Hines added that she’s contemplated finding a new daycare provider but said her children “love Jackie” and don’t want to leave.
“We’re both trying so hard to get him removed, but everyone seems to be on his side.”
Hines said they’ll continue to monitor the situation and alert the authorities if anything serious happens.
Legal Aid lawyer Chrystal MacAulay, who is representing Henshaw, was unable to confer with her client by press time but indicated that when she speaks with him, if Henshaw would like her to respond, she will do so on his behalf.
RCMP respond
Cpl. Chris Campbell, with the Windsor Rural RCMP detachment, said they had one call for service related to the situation.
“The matter was investigated, no breach was deemed to have occurred within the conditions set out by the court, nor any contravention of the Criminal Code,” Campbell said. “The RCMP are, and have been, diligent with monitoring the accused and ensuring that the conditions set out by the court are being 100 per cent complied with.”
Campbell said the RCMP's role in monitoring a high-risk offender varies with court-imposed conditions, as well as other factors including geographical challenges, community concerns and perceptions, as well as the rights of the accused and the community at large.
“Residents have been spoken to and advised that any action they have concern over or believe to be a breach of conditions should be reported immediately to the Windsor RCMP, who will investigate the matter fully,” he said. “The RCMP is committed to ensuring public confidence and safety. If there are concerns, please report to the Windsor District RCMP at 902-798-2207 or Crime Stoppers.”
A publication ban is in place related to Henshaw’s ongoing court matter, including a ban on the release of the names of the alleged victims and the details of his bail hearing that took place in late January.
None of the recent charges against Henshaw have been proven in court.
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