Mental Health Worker Charged with Assault at a Welland School Facility

In April of 2026, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Child Abuse Unit (CAU) began an investigation into allegations of an assault that took place at the Mountainview Centre for Innovative Learning located at 1604 Merrittville Highway in Welland.  This Pathstones school utilizes a teacher and a mental health counsellor in each classroom to provide specialized programs for children with various mental health and learning challenges

Detectives were contacted after concerns arose that a mental health counsellor was using restraint techniques, that were outside of their scope of training, on a child at the school.  During the investigation, it was determined that the actions taken by the counsellor amounted to excessive use of force and assault.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, CAU detectives arrested and charged 22-year-old Madison PORKOLAB of Grimsby a single count of Assault.  PORKOLAB was released with a future court date.

Detectives believed that there may be more victims and are asking for those victims to come forward.  Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Child Abuse Unit at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1008430.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.

NRPS Incident 26-46109