Babysitter accused of sexually assaulting 6-year-old Toronto boy after advertising online

TORONTO — A 23-year-old Toronto man faces charges after police allege he sexually assaulted a six-year-old boy he was babysitting in the city’s east end.

Toronto police said the man advertised his babysitting services through a website called Care.com and was contacted by parents after they viewed his resume and profile.

On March 5, police said the man went to the family’s home near Woodbine Avenue and Danforth Avenue to babysit the boy, who later reported to his parents that he had been sexually assaulted.

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On March 16, investigators from the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre arrested Daniel Harker, 23, of Toronto and charged him with sexual assault and sexual interference.

Harker was scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on Tuesday and police said they believe there may be other victims as the accused had access to children in the community.

Police provided the following list of locations where the accused worked:

• Toronto District School Board as a lunchroom monitor at Pape Avenue Junior Public School, located at 220 Langley Ave.
• City of Toronto as a part-time recreation worker, which allowed him access to children at various locations including wading pools and gym classes.
• SH Armstrong Community Centre at 56 Woodfield Rd., which is a centre for pre-school-aged children and has drop-in programs for older children.
• Gledhill Child Care Centre, located at 2 Gledhill Ave., as a pre-school daycare worker.

Police said the Toronto District School Board, City of Toronto, and Care.com have been cooperating in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2922, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com, by texting TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or by leaving a tip on Facebook.