Canadian teens face charges over death

Two Canadian teenagers have appeared in youth court on child pornography charges related to a deadly cyberbullying case.

Rehtaeh Parsons was taken off life support after a suicide attempt in April that her family says was prompted by months of bullying. They say the 17-year-old was tormented after a digital photograph of her allegedly being sexually assaulted was distributed around her school

One 18-year-old man faces two counts of distributing child pornography, while another 18-year-old man is charged with distributing and making child pornography. The next court action is set for Sept 19.

Police announced the arrests in the high-profile case last week. The teens’ names cannot be released because they were under 18.

Neither man showed any emotion during the court appearance in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The two were charged after police reopened their probe a week after the girl’s death. Police said they had received new and credible information from someone who was willing to co-operate with their inquiry.

Police have said there were no plans to lay charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault.