Brandon foster parent pleads guilty to child sexual abuse material charges

A Brandon foster parent has pleaded guilty to charges including sexual interference and making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material; sentencing is scheduled for March.

A foster parent in Brandon who also ran a home daycare has pleaded guilty in court to charges including sexual interference and making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. A publication ban prevents the release of his name to protect the victims and their families. Police say the arrest followed an alert from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre and that children at the residence were safeguarded. Court documents note related electronic communications and material were part of the evidence. Key facts: - The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to counts of sexual interference and to making, possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. - Police were alerted by the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre; children present in the home at the time of arrest were safeguarded and authorities described the case as having tragic consequences. - A publication ban protects the victims' identities and sentencing is scheduled for March. Summary: The guilty pleas conclude the charging phase of the case and the court record indicates the defendant waived his right to challenge the evidence under the Charter. Victims' identities will remain protected under the publication ban, and sentencing is set for March.