An investigation by an Alberta Law Enforcement Team (ALERT) has led to the apparent rescue of a 4-year-old Hinton girl who had allegedly been sexually exploited.
Kenneth McKinley, 52, has been charged with sexual interference and sexual assault as well as making, distributing and accessing child pornography.
ALERT's Northern Alberta Child Exploitation team began their investigation following a tip from the RCMP National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre in Ottawa. The information from RCMP led ICE investigators to believe hands-on abuse was taking place - a fast-tracked investigation was initiated.
"The reason we use the term rescue is that we were able to, through our investigation, identify a victim and a suspect and hold him accountable - therefore, she doesn't have to be subjected to the abuse by this individual anymore," said Sgt. Mike Lokken from Northern ICE Unit.
McKinley was arrested by RCMP at a work camp in Worsley, Alberta on December 4, 2013, he's scheduled to appear in Hinton provincial court Wednesday.
Worsley is located about two hours north of Grande Prairie.
