Other children might be victims in Brandon child pornography case, police allege
'This is a horrific investigation,' chief says as examination into seized devices continues
WARNING: This story contains details about child pornography and sexual abuse.
Brandon police allege there may be other victims as officers review a "plethora" of electronic devices found at the residence of a home daycare operator accused of using children in his care to make child pornography.
A 37-year-old man — who is a foster parent to young children and runs the daycare with his common-law partner — is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, assault and making, possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography, police announced Thursday.
He was arrested this week after the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre alerted police there may have been active and ongoing sexual abuse involving children at a home in the southwestern Manitoba city.
Police allege the 37-year-old shared images on an "international level."
Six children who were in the residence when the man was arrested were safeguarded.
Brandon police Chief Tyler Bates said in an update Friday that there may be other victims beyond those who were at the home.
"When you look at the plethora of electronic devices and computer systems that were seized, there's an extensive volume of review and analysis that takes place relative those devices," Bates said.
Police said Thursday that the man was also identified as the suspect in an instance of uploading, storing and distributing child pornography on June 9.
They're not releasing the 37-year-old's name to protect the identities of the victims and their families.
WATCH | Brandon police say other children might be victims in child sex abuse case:
"This is a horrific investigation, with just tragic outcomes and consequences," Bates said. "My heart goes out to the families, to the parents that have had to deal with this horrific reality ... to the kids that are [forever] impacted by this victimization."
Bates said the Toba Centre for Children & Youth is also assisting with the investigation and analysis of the seized devices.
"When you have these investigators that have to deal with this kind of criminality and this kind of evil inflicted on our children, it's painstaking, it's heartbreaking work," he said.
"I don't think anybody realizes … the toll and the impact of having to go through hundreds of hours of imagery to identify instances of criminality, of such brutal, horrendous crime."
'I'm sick to my stomach': mayor
While there are still many questions left unanswered regarding this incident, Brandon's Mayor Jeff Fawcett said authorities at some point will need to start looking "at the bigger picture" and ensure daycares in Manitoba are properly sanctioned and safe.
"Nothing can equate to being children in these situations, parents in these situations. It's just the most horrible thing to imagine," he said. "I'm sick to my stomach."
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said this case underscores the systemic failures that continue to put vulnerable children at risk of exploitation and harm, especially First Nations children.
"We can no longer allow these preventable tragedies to continue within a system that does not serve or protect our families," AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said in a statement.
While the identity of the children involved in this case hasn't been revealed, AMC said the child welfare has disproportionately impacted First Nations families, leading to Indigenous children being over-represented in foster care.
Systemic changes to the system are "long overdue," AMC said, including providing stronger oversight, screening and accountability in foster placements.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
With files from Chelsea Kemp