ALERT looking for child victim of alleged sexual assault
Posted September 21, 2023 10:31 am.
The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit is asking the public for help in identifying the victim of a sexual assault.
ALERT says the alleged incident is believed to have taken place at a home in the Edmonton area or on Vancouver Island, B.C.
“Our hope is that someone recognizes this crime scene and can help locate our victim. We believe this victim has suffered extensively and want to provide them with the support they deserve,” said Sergeant Kerry Shima, ALERT ICE.
ALERT says the suspect — a 16-year-old from Bon Accord, Alta. (roughly 30 km north of Edmonton) — was arrested on Aug. 17, in connection to the incident.
Since the arrest, the teen has been charged with possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, and transmission of child pornography.
Investigators say the teen has lived in the Edmonton area and has recently lived on the east coast of Vancouver Island near Nanaimo and Ladysmith.
In addition, since the investigation began, investigators have not been able to identify the victim. In an effort to help make an identification, a photo of the bedroom where the sexual assault is believed to have taken place has been released.
Photo of bedroom where the sexual assault is believed to have taken place. (Photo Courtesy: Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams)
Police say the photo was obtained from the 16-year-old’s cell phone, after they were taken into custody.
The victim is believed to be a girl between six and ten-years-old.
Police do believe they knew each other prior to the sexual assault. Before adding the suspect was allegedly uploading child exploitation materials via Discord.
ALERT says other information is limited to protect the suspect’s identity per the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police are asking if anyone has any information to contact one of the following numbers:
Edmonton area, contact Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567;
Nanaimo area, contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345;
Ladysmith area, contact Ladysmith RCMP at 250-245-2215;
Anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
