GEORGE KENNEY INVESTIGATED BY POLICE

NORTH PORT POLICE DETECTIVES HAVE SEIZED COMPUTERS AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF NORTH PORT HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL GEORGE KENNY AS THEY INVESTIGATE KENNY’S USE OF HYPNOSIS ON STUDENTS. ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE HERALD TRIBUNE, KENNEY’S USE OF HYPNOSIS WAS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. ONE NORTH PORT HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYER TOLD DETECTIVES THAT KENNEY HYPNOTIZED HIM THIRTY TO FORTY TIMES TO IMPROVE HIS CONCENTRATION. KENNEY’S SECRETARY TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT KENNEY HYPNOTIZED TWO STUDENTS PER DAY ON AN AVERAGE DURING A THREE YEAR PERIOD. THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN WHEN STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS CONTACTED POLICE WHEN THEY RECEIVED A COMPLAINT THAT KENNEY MAY HAVE BROKEN A FLORIDA LAW THAT PROHIBITS THE USE OF HYPNOSIS FOR THERAPEUTIC REASONS EXCEPT BY OR UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. KENNEY’S USE OF HYPNOSIS ON STUDENTS CAME TO LIGHT AFTER A NORTH PORT STUDENT COMMITTED SUICIDE SHORTLY AFTER BEING HYPNOTIZED BY KENNEY. KENNEY HAS SAID HE ALWAYS HAD PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE PERFORMING HYPNOSIS ON STUDENTS BUT THAT IS BEING DISPUTED BY AT LEAST ONE PARENT.