13-year-old charged for online harassment, banned from social media

A 13-year-old western Quebec boy accused of harassing and threatening another child online is facing four charges and conditions restricting his internet activity.

In a news release issued Friday, police in the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais said the alleged victim's parent filed a complaint after being "subjected to the suspect's wrath for several months."

Police said they went to the accused's home on Sunday to arrest him, but had to return with a warrant the following day after his parents initially refused to co-operate.

The 13-year-old was arrested Monday evening and detained. He was formally charged on Tuesday with criminal harassment, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, distributing child pornography and unauthorized possession of an unspecified restricted weapon.

Among his release conditions, the boy can't access social media and can't use the internet without adult supervision.

Police didn't offer details about the alleged threats or where the youth lives. The municipality includes the communities of Chelsea, Quyon, Val-des-Monts and Wakefield.