A 40 year old man has been charged in connection to offences against children at a Marshall, SK home-based day care.
The investigation began when the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit and the Maidstone RCMP received a report from an online application that child pornography videos were uploaded on their platform. A search warrant was executed July 14th and the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Education was alerted the same day after it was determined a home based daycare was operating at the residence.
Investigators say the two cellphones and two laptops found at the home were provided to police. The forensic examination involved multiple specialized RCMP units and police say they located images of unknown children being sexually assaulted by a male. Investigators believe three children were being assaulted in these photographs. The victims are all young children. The Saskatchewan RCMP will not release publicly the specific age of the victims to protect their identity.
Joseph Sproull of Marshall has been arrested and charged. RCMP say Joseph Sproull was living in the house where the home-based daycare was operating. He has been remanded in custody and will make his first court appearance today (weds) at North Battleford Provincial Court.
“This is an alarming, heartbreaking situation that affects the most vulnerable – young children. We are doing everything in our power to identity all the victims affected by this terrible situation and provide everyone the support they need right now,” says Superintendent Vincent Foy, Officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit. “I can only imagine the anguish those affected are going through and the anxiety the whole community is facing. Rest assured all required resources are being dedicated to this investigation.”
Investigators are working to identify the children in the images. They are meeting with the parents of the children who attended the daycare. Support, including victim services, is being offered to all individuals affected by these incidents.
Anyone who suspects they or their child has been a victim, or has information about these incidents, is asked to call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 306-446-1615. Anyone who requires support during this investigation is asked to contact the Midwest Victim Services Program at 780-874-5021.
North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) is the lead on the sexual assault investigation with the assistance of Saskatchewan ICE, Maidstone RCMP, RCMP National Victim Identification Unit, North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Unit and the Midwest Victim Services Program.
Joseph Sproull has been charged with:
· 1 count, Possession of child pornography, Section 163.1(4), Criminal Code;
· 1 count, Distribution of child pornography, Section 163.1(3), Criminal Code;
· 3 counts, Sexual assault, Section 271, Criminal Code;
· 3 counts, Sexual interference, Section 151, Criminal Code;
· 3 counts, Making available child pornography, Section 163.1(2), Criminal Code.
