Mother charged with sexual abuse of toddler in Edmonton area after FBI tip
A Strathcona County toddler has been rescued from suspected sexual exploitation, and the child's mother has been charged, police said.
The child was rescued on Saturday after police received a tip from the FBI in the United States 48 hours earlier detailing prolific and ongoing sexual abuse of a young child in Alberta.
The alleged sexual abuse was uncovered after the arrest of Brian Davis, 30, in Yuba City, Calif.
In September 2022, police in Nevada were investigating a possible child sexual abuse case.
A woman in Idaho contacted police in Sparks, Nev., after she was sent a video over Snapchat of a man sexually abusing a girl.
The man claimed to be living in Sparks.
Sparks police officers determined the man was a resident of Yuba City, Calif.
On Oct. 12, Yuba City police were contacted by the FBI, who provided them with the internet IP address of the suspect.
Yuba City police identified the man as Brian Davis.
Brian Davis (Credit: Yuba City Police Department)
A search warrant was conducted the same day, and Davis was arrested and charged with numerous counts of possession and distribution of child pornography, and a charge of oral copulation.
Investigators discovered Davis had been communicating through the social media platform Kik with a woman somewhere in the Edmonton region.
The chats between the two showed graphic sexual abuse of the woman's child, ALERT said.
"I’ve been a police officer for nearly 22 years and with this unit for nearly three, and this is some of the most egregious material I’ve been exposed to," Sgt. Kerry Shima told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
After receiving the tip, investigators worked quickly to identify the mother and the child.
"The FBI provided us with that information on Friday morning and as a unit we pulled together and recognized the urgency of the situation. Our unit did an incredible job of working around the clock from Friday into Saturday night to do this."
The 35-year-old mother of the child has been charged with:
- Sexual exploitation;
- Sexual interference;
- Arrangement to commit a sexual offence against a child;
- Making child pornography;
- Distribution of child pornography;
- Accessing child pornography; and
- Possession of child pornography.
The mother's name has not been released to protect the identity of the toddler.
"We’re typically dealing with male offenders. It’s very rare that we’re going to come across a mother offending on a child as well. That in itself as everyone can understand is quite shocking," Shima said.
"Early indications in our investigation are that the abuse has been ongoing for quite some time."
The woman has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Sherwood Park Provincial Court on Feb. 22.
The toddler was taken to hospital for evaluation.
Shima says the child has since been released from hospital and is receiving help from a variety of specialized agencies.
Investigators say the toddler's father was unaware of the alleged offences, and has been fully cooperative with the investigation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.