An OPP spokesperson said an attack that left a young girl with life-threatening injuries has deeply affected the community.
Bill Dickson told Vista Radio that OPP are aware of the heightened level of concern after an eight-year-old was found in Quadeville, just hours after going missing on June 24.
The girl remains under care.
“This is something that impacted not just a little girl who was injured, not just family members, but the whole community,” said Dickson.
Dickson said OPP tried to share as much information as they could throughout the investigation, but had to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Dickson said right from the beginning, based on the nature of the injuries and the serious life-threatening wounds, police believed it was an animal attack.
That changed Tuesday when a teenager was charged with attempted murder and sexual assault with a weapon on a person under age 16.
“We can’t be tunnel visioned. Investigators…had to look at all the aspects. As of Tuesday, our investigators had formed the grounds to arrest and lay charges.”
Dickson said because someone has been arrested and charged doesn’t mean the investigation is over.
Indeed, it keeps going.
OPP are hosting a town hall on Saturday to address questions and concerns from local residents, at a time and location to be determined.
Police will discuss their initial theory about the possibility of an animal attack.
“And address any possible mis-information that may be out there.”
Dickson said police want to open the floor to talk about what they can and listen to the community’s concerns and questions.
Anyone with information or relevant doorbell or surveillance video that could help investigators, should call OPP or Crime Stoppers.
– with files from Casey Kenny and Bradley Aubin
