CALGARY- The parents of a girl who was sexually assaulted say they’re shocked the teen accused in the case has faced similar charges twice before.
The eight-year-old victim was attacked in the northwest community of Silver Springs on July 3, while playing with a friend. Police say the girl was lured into some bushes on the pretense of playing a game.
“Because I didn’t know there was a predator in our community, we were blindsided,” the girl’s mother—who Global News is not identifying—says. “I was infuriated.”
It turns out the 16-year-old charged in the case was also accused of sexual assault and sexual contact with a child last December, and faced similar charges in another case a couple of months later.
The victim’s mother says she wants public warnings issued about repeat offenders—regardless of the suspect’s age.
“I would like to see some sort of law in place that the public is allowed to be informed. You can protect his identity, but because of protecting what he did my daughter got hurt.”
Alberta Justice says public warnings are up to the discretion of police. In a statement, police said:
“The Service must strike a balance due to the harm and damage such warnings may create, especially when involving a youth who cannot be identified.”
That’s not sitting well with the victim’s mother, who says a general warning about a repeat sex offender in the area would suffice.
“I think a sexual predator is a sexual predator, whatever your age.
“I feel the justice system failed.”
The teen charged in the case has a bail hearing set for next Wednesday.
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