A 17-year-old has been charged with attempted murder after a child was found with life-threatening injuries in a wooded area near Quadeville, southeast of Barry’s Bay.
On June 24 around 9 p.m., Upper Ottawa Valley OPP and emergency units responded to reports of a missing eight-year-old child. The OPP Canine Unit located the child just before 12:30 a.m. the next day.
The child remains in hospital under medical care.
At first, police considered whether the injuries came from an animal attack, but after lab testing showed no animal DNA, the case turned toward foul play. A 17-year-old male from eastern Ontario was arrested July 8.
He faces charges of attempted murder and sexual assault with a weapon involving a child under 16. Because the accused is a youth, his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The OPP will hold a townhall meeting July 12 in Quadeville to speak with the community. Anyone with tips or video footage is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
