On Saturday, June 20, 2015, a 5-year-old girl and her mother were shopping in a pet store in the west end in the afternoon. It is reported that while the girl was away from her mother for a short period of time, a male suspect allegedly approached her and led her to the men’s washroom where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Police responded to the area, located and arrested the suspect a short distance away with the description that was given by the complainant and other witnesses in the store.
“This alleged occurrence is particularly unusual and concerning as this sexual assault occurred with a stranger,” says Acting Staff Sgt. David Jones with Edmonton Police Child Protection Section. Most cases of child abuse occur with an adult the child already knows.”
Child abuse investigations conducted at the Zebra Child Abuse Centre in Edmonton found 98% of the involved suspects were known to their victims in 2014.
Adrian Ballantyne, 27, is charged with sexual interference, sexual assault and breach probation.
Ballantyne is scheduled to speak to bail on Friday, June 26, 2015.
The Edmonton Police Service is releasing Ballantyne’s photos as investigators believe there may be other young complainants. Ballantyne has been known to travel in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling the EPS at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.