The Ottawa charge Women’s hockey team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

The Ottawa charge Women’s hockey team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

Ottawa, ON — April 14, 2025

Shock and outrage have rocked the Canadian sports world as the Ottawa Charge Women’s Junior Hockey Team faces multiple lawsuits filed by distraught parents over the disappearance of several young female players. Allegations of negligence, poor supervision, and organizational misconduct have surfaced, sending tremors through the local hockey community and sparking a nationwide discussion about youth athlete safety.

According to legal filings and interviews with family members, at least six parents have filed formal lawsuits against the Ottawa Charge organization, accusing the team’s management and coaching staff of gross negligence leading to the disappearance of their daughters, who were members of the elite junior-level hockey program.

Tournament Trip Turns Into Crisis

The team had traveled to a weekend tournament in Sudbury, Ontario, from April 4–6, one of many stops on the team’s competitive calendar. For many of the players, aged between 14 and 17, this was a high-profile opportunity to showcase their skills in front of scouts and coaches from collegiate and national-level programs.

However, what should have been a celebratory and competitive weekend quickly devolved into chaos. Parents reported losing contact with their daughters late on the evening of April 5. Messages went unread, phones were turned off, and location-sharing apps suddenly stopped functioning. By the morning of April 6, four players were unaccounted for. Two more would be reported missing later that day.

“It was the worst feeling of my life,” said Michael Tran, whose 16-year-old daughter, Eva, is among those still missing. “I trusted this organization. I trusted the coaches. They were supposed to keep her safe.”

Lawsuits Filed Against Team Management

The affected parents have filed separate but similar lawsuits in Ontario Superior Court, naming the Ottawa Charge’s head coach, team manager, and affiliated directors in the filings. The lawsuits allege multiple breaches of duty, including:

• Failure to maintain appropriate supervision of minors.
• Inadequate adult-to-player chaperone ratios.
• Lax hotel security and room-check policies.
• Allowing players to leave team accommodations unsupervised.
• Lack of emergency planning or contact systems in place.

“These families sent their daughters on this trip under the clear understanding that every measure would be taken to keep them safe,” said attorney Celeste Morin, who represents three of the families. “What we now know is that protocols were virtually nonexistent.”

One of the most serious allegations claims that players were allowed to explore parts of the city late at night without any adult accompaniment, including visits to local shopping areas and downtown venues.

Ongoing Police Investigation

Local law enforcement agencies are treating the situation as an open missing persons investigation. Ottawa and Sudbury police have joined forces, alongside the RCMP, to locate the six girls.

“This is an active investigation, and we are working closely with federal authorities, hotel staff, and witnesses,” said Sudbury Police Chief Marianne Lafleur. “We do not yet have evidence of foul play, but we are not ruling anything out.”

Surveillance footage from the hotel where the team was staying is being analyzed. According to police sources, at least two of the girls were seen leaving the hotel lobby late on Saturday night in civilian clothing, without team gear or luggage. Where they went next remains unclear.

Two Players Found Safe, Others Still Missing

In a brief moment of relief, two of the missing players were located on April 10 in a neighboring community, reportedly staying with a family they had befriended earlier in the trip. While both were physically unharmed, the circumstances of their disappearance are still being investigated.

“They appeared confused and unwilling to explain why they had separated from the team,” said a police spokesperson. “We are prioritizing their psychological safety and working with child psychologists to understand the situation.”

Four players are still missing as of April 14.

Silence From the Team

The Ottawa Charge organization has yet to issue a detailed statement. A brief message posted on the team’s website last week read: “We are aware of the situation and are cooperating fully with authorities. Out of respect for the families and the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time.”

Efforts by reporters to reach head coach Melanie Sharp and general manager Claire Doucet have been unsuccessful. Former players and staff have described a culture within the team that was “loose” and “too relaxed” when it came to supervision.

“It was kind of a free-for-all once you were away at tournaments,” said a former assistant coach who asked to remain anonymous. “I raised concerns before, but nothing ever changed.”

Community Outrage and Public Backlash

The situation has sparked anger and disbelief among local residents and Canada’s hockey community at large. Parents, fans, and former players held a candlelight vigil outside TD Place Arena in Ottawa over the weekend, holding signs that read “Bring Them Home” and “Where Were the Adults?”

Many are calling for Hockey Canada to impose stricter safety requirements on youth travel teams, including mandatory training for staff, real-time parental communication systems, and emergency response protocols.

“This could have been prevented,” said Emily Caron, a mother of a former Charge player. “We need accountability, not just in this case, but across all levels of youth sports.”

Government and Sports Bodies Respond

In response to the unfolding situation, Minister of Sport Carla Qualtrough announced that the federal government would review national policies regarding travel and safety standards in youth sports programs.

“We are deeply concerned about the events involving the Ottawa Charge team,” Minister Qualtrough said in a press briefing. “We must ensure that every young athlete in this country is protected, whether they’re at practice or on the road.”

Hockey Canada has also launched an internal investigation and placed the Ottawa Charge on temporary suspension pending the outcome of ongoing inquiries.

What Comes Next

For the parents whose children are still missing, time feels suspended.

“We’re just hoping and praying that our daughters are safe,” said Rachel Hernandez, the mother of 15-year-old player Kayla Hernandez. “We want answers, but more than that, we want our girls home.”

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Sudbury Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously. Flyers, social media campaigns, and community outreach efforts are underway as the public joins the search for the missing players.

As the lawsuits move through the legal system and investigations continue, the future of the Ottawa Charge hangs in the balance. More importantly, so does the safety and wellbeing of the young athletes who placed their trust in the adults who failed them.