Man charged in sex assaults of children in unlicensed daycare

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This article was published 22/04/2022 (1300 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg police have charged a man accused of sexually assaulting two children under the age of 10 in an unlicensed family daycare in the North End — and for allegedly making images of the abuse that were shared online.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit began an investigation last September into a sexual assault by a “known adult.” The alleged assault occurred between July and August last year in a home on the 400 block of Aberdeen Avenue, which also operated as a daycare.

The accused was not involved in the child-care operation, but both victims went to daycare in the home, Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman Const. Dani McKinnon told reporters Friday.

“Anecdotally, often home daycares are run by maybe one or two family members, but there’s also a number of other residents that will often live there and… have access to the home,” McKinnon said.

“The victims, survivors, their parents have, of course, been notified. As well, all the appropriate child agencies have been notified.”

Robert Dale Prince, 36, was first charged with sexual assault and sexual interference in October. He was then released on conditions Oct. 7, a Free Press review of court records shows.

Then in January, the police service’s internet child exploitation unit was alerted to the sharing of child sex abuse images on a popular, commonly used social media site in April 2021.

The unit identified Prince as a suspect and seized an electronic device allegedly belonging to him that contained more than 150 photos and videos of child sexual abuse imagery, including of the two children who went to the daycare. One of the two kids in the images was the victim in the initial sexual assault investigation.

Police rearrested Prince on April 11 for a slew of child pornography-related charges. Some of the child pornography offences allegedly occurred in 2019 and 2020, court records show.

The provincial government does not monitor unlicensed private home daycares. Without a licence, a person can care for a maximum of four children under 12, and no more than two of them can be under age two. That number includes the care provider’s children and any others who live in the home.

McKinnon said parents who use unlicensed daycare providers should ask whether child abuse and criminal record checks are performed, who else resides or has access to the home and whether the providers have safety certification such as first-aid and CPR, among other questions.

“These are crimes of access and opportunity. The offenders in this type of situation, they don’t hide behind the proverbial bushes. They’re amongst us, they’re in the places, unfortunately, where some of our children may attend to,” McKinnon said.

“Do your checks and balances. It’s a good time to educate your children, and educate yourself on grooming, educate yourself (on) sexual exploitation images and what that realm entails.”

Prince remains in custody; his next court date is May 9.

Prior to the new charges but after the initial arrest, the courts had barred Prince from contacting, communicating or being in the presence of a youth under the age of 16 except in unavoidable public encounters; from going to any park or swimming area where youths could be reasonably expected to be present, including daycares, school grounds, playgrounds or community centres; and from seeking, obtaining or continuing a job or volunteer opportunity that would put him in a position of trust or authority over a youth.

He has no past criminal convictions in Manitoba.

The internet child exploitation unit is still investigating. Police ask anyone with information about the case to call them at 204-986-6172 or the child abuse unit at 204-986-3296.

“With situations like this there is always potential (other victims),” McKinnon said.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera