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By Regan Tate

ALERT rescues another child from exploitation, worries more victims may be out there

Mar 9, 2023 | 10:57 AM

WARNING: This story contains details that will be upsetting for some readers.

MEDICINE HAT, AB – An internet child exploitation (ICE) investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team into an Alberta mother has led to another arrest and another child being rescued.

ALERT says the ICE unit rescued a school-aged child in Edmonton who was allegedly being abused by their father.

It’s alleged this 36-year-old man had been conversing online with the Alberta mother who was charged last month in connection with child exploitation offences committed against her own child who is toddler-aged.

He has been charged with the following:

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• Sexual assault;
• Sexual interference;
• Making child pornography;
• Accessing child pornography;
• Distributing child pornography; and
• Possession of child pornography.

He has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court later this month.

These latest offences were uncovered during a preliminary forensic analysis of computers seized from the woman.

As a result of the early forensic analysis, additional charges were laid against the mother last month including:

• Sexual assault;
• Sexual interference;
• Sexual exploitation;
• Making child pornography x2;
• Possession of child pornography;
• Accessing child pornography;
• Counsel to commit sexual assault x2;
• Counsel to commit sexual interference x2;
• Counsel to commit sexual exploitation x2;
• Agreement or arrangement to commit sexual offence against a child; and
• Distribute child pornography.

She now faces a total of 24 charges relating to child sexual abuse material. She was released and is scheduled to appear in court on March 22, 2023 in Sherwood Park.

The names of the two accused are not being released to protect the identity of the victims. The ICE unit fears they may uncover more additional victims and is frantically combing through digital evidence to explore the possibility of other children at-risk.

Both children are receiving help from a variety of specialized support services, including Zebra Center for Child Protection and Edmonton Police Services’ Child at Risk Response Team.

A number of partner agencies were involved in this investigation including Strathcona County RCMP, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, Edmonton Police Service, ALERT Surveillance teams, FBI, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

Anyone with information about this case or any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police or to report their concern anonymously at www.cybertip.ca.