An Alberta-based crime team dedicated to ending child sexual assault has released a photograph of a bedroom believed to be in Edmonton or on Vancouver Island that could assist them in finding a young victim approximately six to 10 years old.
The Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) produced a photo of the bedroom where the sexual assault is believed to have taken place. The photo was obtained from a cell phone belonging to a child sexual exploitation suspect.
“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.
The suspect in this case was arrested on August 17, 2023 and is a 16-year-old youth who cannot be named. The suspect has been charged with possession of child pornography, access child pornography, and transmission of child pornography.
At the time of their arrest the suspect was living in Bon Accord, Alta., which is located approximately 30 kilometers north of Edmonton. The suspect may have lived at various locations in the Edmonton area and has also recently lived on the east coast of Vancouver Island near Nanaimo and Ladysmith.
ICE has been unable to identify the victim to date but estimates they are female between six and 10 years old. It is believed the victim and suspect knew each other, but ICE is limited in what information can be provided in order to protect the suspect’s identity under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The case was first reported to ICE in July 2023 by the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC). The suspect was allegedly uploading child exploitation materials via the Discord platform.
A full forensic analysis is underway of computers and electronic devices seized from the suspect.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact:
- 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).
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