Manitoba foster parent facing child pornography, sex assault charges

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A foster parent in Manitoba is facing several child pornography and sexual assault charges.

In early February, the Brandon Police Service got a tip from the National Child Exploitation Center that someone was potentially creating child sexual abuse materials of children in their care.

Police launched an investigation and found the suspect—a 37-year-old man—was a foster parent along with his common-law partner. Police say the two cared for young children and had a daycare operating out of their home.

Police allege the material was distributed internationally.

Investigators, accompanied by Child and Family Services, arrested the man at his home where they also found six children.

The man—who police have not identified—is facing charges of making child pornography, possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography, distributing child pornography and sexual assault. Police later added more charges against him, including sexual assault and sexual interference.

Investigators have also linked the suspect to another incident that happened in June when, police said, images of child pornography were uploaded, stored and distributed. The man was charged further with sexual assault, sexual interference, and assault.

The charges have not been tested in court. He remains in custody, police said.

“As this is an ongoing active investigation and to protect the identities of the victims and their families, police will not be making any further comments at this time,” a release from the Brandon Police Service reads.

The service said it is working with CFS and the Toba Centre for Children & Youth to provide support for the victims and their families.

Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates will be holding a news conference about the investigation on Friday.