Child Rescued in Red Deer

Red Deer… A 4-year-old toddler has been rescued from sexual abuse following an ALERT Internet Child Exploitation investigation done in conjunction with RCMP Red Deer and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

The toddler was allegedly sexually abused by his biological mother, a 43-year-old Red Deer woman who is not being named in order to protect the identity of the victim. Photos of the abuse were sent over email.

ALERT can confirm that the child is safe, he is no longer with his mother, and supports are being offered.

The suspect was arrested on June 1 at a licensed daycare facility in Red Deer, where she was employed. At this point in the investigation ALERT does not believe any offences involved children from the daycare. The daycare is not being named, however parents of the daycare were notified.

Child and Family Services and the day care operator are working with ALERT as they investigate.

ALERT’s investigation began in late May 2016 with a referral from the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC). ICAC identified a child being sexually abused based on evidence seized from a separate investigation. It was determined the child lived in the Red Deer area and ALERT was then able to expedite the investigation and identify the offender.

The Red Deer woman has been charged with:

• Sexual assault;
• Sexual exploitation;
• Making child pornography;
• Distributing child pornography;
• Possessing child pornography;
• Accessing child pornography.

For more information about how to recognize signs of child abuse, and other resources, please visit the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre website at www.sheldonkennedycac.ca.