Calgary police have charged a man in his 60s in connection with a sex-related offence that allegedly occurred at a Citadel dayhome.
The incident was reported to officers in February 2017; a three-year-old girl told her parents she was inappropriately touched by a man while at her dayhome.
Police said the accused is the husband of the primary operator and worked within the dayhome. Officers allege he had sexual contact with the young girl when the two were alone.
WATCH: Calgary police have charged a man with sex-related offences at a dayhome in the city’s northwest
During a Monday news conference, Staff Sgt. Dominic Mayhew said Jane’s Dayhome, which is unlicensed, had been operating for about 10 years.
“The children and the children’s parents were spoken to within 24 hours and the dayhome was not taking clients as of 24 hours after it was reported to us,” Mayhew said.
Mayhew said the dayhome operator is co-operating with the investigation.
“We asked for co-operation in order to identify parents of former clients as well as current clients.”
“As a result of the investigation, they were spoken with and voluntarily closed down.”
A series of DNA samples were also submitted for testing.
“At this point we have no information to suggest that there are any other victims,” Mayhew said.
WATCH: Staff Sgt. Dominic Mayhew of the Calgary Police Service explains why DNA was collected in the investigation into sex-offences at a dayhome.
The home is now up for sale. Next-door neighbour Keith Gall said the couple living there has seven adult sons of their own.
“I can’t believe he would do something like this–he’s a nice guy,” Gall said. “He shoveled sidewalks for five years, cuts my grass…I wouldn’t believe he’d do something like that.”
Accused previously found not guilty after facing charges in 2006
Gary Francis Hachey, 65, is charged with sexual interference and sexual assault with a child.
Global News has learned Hachey had previously faced charges of sexual assault and sexual contact with a child in 2006. He was found not guilty of all charges.
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Child advocates argue clients of the dayhome would have known about those prior charges if the home was licensed and regulated.
“Unless a concerned citizen makes a complaint, there’s no regulation and no criminal record checks done or monitoring,” Alberta Family Child Care Association spokesperson Cheryl Crowther said.
Hachey is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 4.
The difference between licensed and unlicensed dayhomes in Alberta
In Alberta, people who offer child care out of their homes do not require a licence if providing care for fewer than six children.
Crowther said unlicensed dayhomes are not monitored by the government of Alberta and “don’t have to report to anybody.” She suggested they are more aptly called “private babysitters.”
“With approved (registered) family dayhomes there are a lot of checks and balances that we put into place to try to avoid anything like this. We do criminal record checks on any adult that is in the home — and that includes a vulnerable sector search on all these adults.”
In addition, Crowther said they “thoroughly” child-proof the home and run medical checks on the dayhome operator.
WATCH: Cheryl Crowther from the Alberta Child Care Association explains the difference between licensed dayhomes and unlicensed.
“There are approximately 650 approved homes with agencies, within the city of Calgary and the surrounding area.”
She said it’s unknown how many unlicensed dayhomes there are throughout Calgary as they don’t have to register.
“It is really hard to monitor because there is nobody monitoring them.”
Tips for choosing a dayhome from Calgary police
Amid news of the charges, Calgary police issued a list of suggestions for parents to consider when researching potential dayhomes:
- Ask about dayhome health and safety plans and emergency plans.
- Conduct a visit when the dayhome is open to observe activities, daily routines, as well as indoor and outdoor spaces, toys and other equipment.
- Ask for a criminal record check for all occupants of the home dated within the last three years.
- Conduct reference checks with parents of current or previous day home children.
- Ensure the dayhome operator has up-to-date CPR and first aid training.
- Check in with your children and have age-appropriate conversations about inappropriate touching or unexplained injuries.
- For more information about how to recognize signs of child abuse, visit the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre website at www.sheldonkennedycac.ca.
With files from Jill Croteau
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