Ontario Review Board
Re: Sarah Schonauer
ORB File No: 7472
Hearing held on: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Place of Hearing: Brockville Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. L. Silver
Members: Dr. R. Kunjukrishnan Dr. S. Wiseman Mr. C. MacIntyre, K.C. Ms. K. Brisson
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Sarah Schonauer Counsel: Mr. S. Edgley
Person in charge of hospital: Representative Dr. A. Adiele
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. C. Breault
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated November 25, 2025)
Introduction
On January 7, 2019, Sarah Schonauer was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, obstructing a peace officer, breaking and entering, and personation with intent, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.
Ms. Schonauer is currently the subject of a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the Board) dated October 31, 2025, discharging her on certain terms and conditions, while residing in the community.
On October 21st, 2025, a panel of the Ontario Review Board (the “ORB” or “the Board”) convened at Brockville Mental Health Centre (BMHC) pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Ms. Schonauer was in attendance and represented by her counsel, Mr. S. Edgley.
A Hospital Report dated October 2nd, 2025, was entered as Exhibit 1, and a CPIC Report as Exhibit 2.
The issue before the Board was whether Ms. Schonauer continues to represent a significant threat to public safety, as defined in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, and, if so, the appropriate disposition under s. 672.54 of the Code to manage that risk.
Initial Position of the Parties
At the outset of the hearing, the parties were asked to provide their recommendations to the Board. Dr. Adiele, on behalf of the hospital, submitted that Ms. Schonauer no longer poses a significant threat to the community and recommended an absolute discharge. Ms. Breault, on behalf of the Attorney-General, supported the hospital’s position.
Mr. Edgley, on behalf of Ms. Schonauer, also supported the hospital’s recommendation for an absolute discharge.
Index Offences
- A summary of the Index Offences is taken from the previous Reasons for Disposition:
“On June 2nd, 2017 she stole a vehicle that was charging on a dealer’s lot. She was apprehended by police and brought to the Brockville General Hospital. She was released. On July 7th police received multiple complaints of a suspicious person who was walking around and sitting in a lawn chair on a back deck in someone’s residence. She was apprehended. She misidentified herself. She appeared disoriented and agitated, exhibiting irrational behaviour and not making sense. On June 25th, 2018 police responded to a break and enter in progress. The front door was damaged in the amount of about $500. She is a niece of the caretaker of that property. The house had once belonged to the patient’s grandmother many years before. She had not been taking her medications prior to the index offences.”
Current Diagnoses
- Ms. Schonauer’s current diagnoses are schizophrenia and substance use disorder.
Personal Background and History
Ms. Schonauer’s personal background and psychiatric history are set out in the Hospital Report filed as an exhibit at the hearing and need not be repeated in full.
Briefly, Ms. Schonauer is a 33-year-old woman born in Smiths Falls, Ontario. At 17, she moved in with her boyfriend and has an 11-year-old son who currently resides with his father in Smiths Falls.
She performed well academically until Grade 11, when she experienced her first psychotic episode. Her grades declined, and she dropped out of school in her 12th grade. Ms. Schonauer has held part-time employment at various places, and most recently at Canadian Tire.
Ms. Schonauer first encountered the mental health system at age 17, when she presented with psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, pressured speech, agitation, and a delusional belief that her mother was an imposter. She was admitted to the hospital and stabilized with antipsychotic medication.
Following this, Ms. Schonauer remained mentally stable for several years. After separating from her son’s father, she entered a relationship with a partner who was physically abusive and encouraged substance use. This led to a relapse in 2017, marked by grandiose and bizarre delusional beliefs.
She was admitted multiple times between 2017 and 2018, often related to medication non-compliance or cannabis use. There were approximately 11 to 12 admissions during that period. Her symptoms included delusions of ownership of property, resulting in unlawful entries and, on one occasion, taking a vehicle, which she believed to be hers. These events led to the index offences.
After the NCR finding in 2019, Ms. Schonauer was admitted to the Forensic Treatment Unit. Initially, she was angry and aggressive, required seclusion, and frequently displayed paranoid delusions and agitation.
Following a lengthy supervised stay at the FITT House on hospital property, Ms. Schonauer transitioned to independent living on October 2, 2023. However, in 2024, she required two readmissions: a short admission (Feb 3–9, 2024) and a longer one beginning April 14, 2024.
During the latter, Ms. Schonauer was found in the community late at night exhibiting bizarre, psychotic behaviour, including wandering onto strangers’ porches (believing them to be churches) and partially disrobing. Police apprehended her under the Mental Health Act. She was admitted to Brockville General Hospital, presenting as highly disorganized with tangential speech and delusional ideation, then transferred to BMHC, where she required seclusion and a Form 3 under the MHA.
On December 17, 2024, she was granted a 30-day temporary leave and was formally discharged from inpatient to outpatient services on January 21, 2025.
Evidence from the Hospital Report and the Hearing
The hospital’s evidence was presented through the oral testimony of Dr. Adiele, supported by the written Hospital Report. In this past reporting period, Ms. Schonauer was free of behavioural incidents, aggression, treatment refusal, or other concerns.
Ms. Schonauer attended all appointments, adhered to her medication, and cooperated fully with the forensic outreach team during weekly visits.
According to the hospital report, in September 2025, a urine screen tested positive for ephedrine/pseudoephedrine. Ms. Schonauer immediately acknowledged using Buckley’s cough syrup for a cold, was apologetic, receptive to education on drug interactions, and agreed to avoid similar medications.
Ms. Schonauer’s insight has improved over the reporting period. She understands her diagnosis and the chronic nature of her illness and expressed a desire to remain connected with the Forensic Outpatient or ACT Team if granted an absolute discharge.
A major stabilizing factor is her employment at Canadian Tire, where she has worked since November 2024, demonstrating reliability and appropriate workplace conduct.
She maintains contact with her immediate family, though limited access to her young son remains distressing. She intends to seek legal advice to address the visitation restrictions imposed by the child’s paternal relatives.
Medication adherence, previously a concern, is now well managed. Weekly deliveries and bi-weekly injections of Clopixol (500 mg) and Risperidone Consta (25 mg) have maintained full symptom control, with no psychotic symptoms since January 2025.
Ms Schonauer denies alcohol or illicit drug use. All urine screens have been consistently negative, aside from the September 2025 incident. Ms. Schonauer has demonstrated sound judgment in her care, housing, and employment, with good impulse control and no reckless behaviour.
Risk of Violence to Others
- The hospital report summarized her risk of violence as follows:
“The most recent HARM Forensic Risk assessment rated Sarah S's immediate and short-term risk of violence to others as Low (Level 1) with professional support. Even in a hypothetical scenario of release without professional support, her immediate risk remained Low and short-term risk was rated as Level 2. Her index offenses were clearly driven by psychotic symptoms rather than antisocial traits or predatory behavior. Throughout the current reporting period, there have been no incidents of verbal threats, physical aggression, or concerning statements toward others. She has demonstrated appropriate frustration tolerance and conflict resolution skills. Her employment requires daily interaction with the public and coworkers without incident, further demonstrating behavioral control.
Final Position of the Parties
Dr. Adiele, for the hospital, submitted that Ms. Schonauer no longer poses a significant threat to public safety. Ms. Breault, for the Attorney-General, concurred.
Mr. Edgeley, for Ms. Schonauer, reiterated Dr. Adiele’s opinion that the evidence did not support a finding of significant threat and, therefore, Ms. Schonauer was entitled to an absolute discharge.
Conclusion and Disposition
The central issue is whether Ms. Schonauer continues to present a significant threat to public safety. Under s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, a significant threat means a real risk of serious physical or psychological harm to members of the public resulting from criminal conduct.
In Winko vs. British Columbia (Forensic Psychiatric Institute), 1999 CanLII 694 (SCC), [1999] 2 SCR 625, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the risk must be real and substantial, not merely speculative. Absent such a finding, the individual is entitled to an absolute discharge.
Ms. Schonauer has a history of a major mental illness with past substance misuse and treatment non-compliance. Since her outpatient discharge in January 2025, she has maintained exceptional stability in the community, in stark contrast to the psychosis, behavioural dyscontrol, and treatment non-adherence underlying the NCR finding.
Factors supporting an absolute discharge include her sustained engagement with treatment, successful independent living, stable employment, improved insight, and the prolonged absence of psychotic symptoms or problematic behaviours.
Her employment provides structure, social contact, and financial independence, serving as a major protective factor supporting continued stability.
If granted an absolute discharge, the forensic outreach team will continue supporting Ms. Schonauer during transition to the ACT team or a community psychiatrist. Ms. Schonauer has agreed to continue follow-up even if discharged absolutely.
Final Disposition
After careful consideration of all the evidence and submissions, the Board agrees with the joint recommendation of the parties and finds that Ms. Schonauer no longer poses a significant threat to public safety within the meaning of s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code.
Pursuant to s. 672.54(8), the Board therefore orders that Ms. Schonauer be granted an absolute discharge.
The Board commends Ms. Schonauer for her sustained progress, insight, and commitment to recovery. This milestone reflects her perseverance and stability, and the Board extends its congratulations and best wishes for her continued success and well-being in the community.
DATED this 25th day of November, 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. L. Silver
Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board