Posted:
Investigators with the Sexual Assault Investigation Team of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division have charged a man in relation to the sexual assault of a child that occurred last month in Halifax.
At 7:20 p.m. on August 22, police received a report that earlier in the day, a male employee at the Kids & Company daycare located at 3260 Barrington Street in Halifax touched one of the children in a sexual manner while the child was in his care. We are not disclosing the age or sex of the victim in order to protect the child’s identity. Police were advised that the man was suspended the same day that the incident was reported.
At 10:28 a.m. on September 7, 20-year-old Mitchell Casavechia of Cole Harbour turned himself in at Police Headquarters. He faces one count each of sexual assault and sexual interference and is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on October 26. He was released on numerous conditions which include not going to any daycare, playground or school, and to not be around any youth under the age of 16-years-old, except when in the company of their parent.
Sexual assault investigations are very complex, particularly those that involve young children. As part of our victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to sexualized violence, we work closely with victims, and with their families as appropriate, to ensure they’re willing to proceed with a police investigation, which includes giving a statement about the incident and providing a description of the suspect if possible. Police must also ensure the victim’s privacy is upheld and well-being is fully considered; sexual assault investigators have been taking these measures since the incident was first reported, and we’re now in a position to report this incident to the public.
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