Edmonton police have laid a number of charges against a man in his 30s, after a teenaged girl was reportedly sexually assaulted Monday.
The Edmonton Police Service Child Protection Section said the incident in question took place in south Edmonton on New Year’s Eve.
The incident was reported to an adult, and then to police, within 24 hours.
EPS said a number of patrol officers from multiple divisions, along with tactical, canine and child protection units, worked together to find and arrest the accused.
Police have charged Donald McKinney, 32, with a number of crimes, including sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference.
Few more details were available on the incident Thursday, but CTV News spoke to the CEO of the Zebra Child Protection Centre – who said time is of the essence in such cases.
“It’s really important that the adults in their lives believe them and report it,” Barbara Spencer said. “That says to them they are believed, they’re not in trouble, and that there’s a group of people in their community that really wants to assist them.”
Spencer said the most important thing a parent can do when dealing with such an incident, is to keep lines of communication pen with their child.
“The more open the communication a parent has with their child, the more likely that if something’s happening that’s making them uncomfortable, or somebody’s hurting them, that they’ll actually tell,” Spencer said.
It’s believed the victim and the suspect knew each other.
Investigators urge anyone who may have also been victimized, or have any more information on this sexual assault, to call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or #377 on a mobile phone.
McKinney’s first court appearance has been scheduled for Friday.
With files from Amanda Anderson
