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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.