Mother forced girl, 12, to have sex with men: police
Believed traded for money, drugs
Shannon Kari, National Post
Published: Friday, May 04, 2007
TORONTO - A 12-year-old developmentally delayed girl was allegedly forced by her mother to take drugs and participate in sex acts with men for several months at a crack house in Rexdale, police said yesterday.
Six men, ranging in age from 19 to 55, have been charged with several sexual assault-related charges. The 42-year-old mother was arrested earlier this week and charged with the rarely prosecuted offence of "corrupting children."
Many of the sexual acts were "extremely degrading," said Toronto Police Superintendent Ron Taverner, who indicated the investigation is ongoing and more people may face criminal charges.
"She was encouraged to have sex with numerous men," Supt. Taverner said.
The girl lived with her mother in a home near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27. The offences allegedly occurred between November, 2005, and November, 2006, at the home, which was used as a safe haven for drug users and dealers of crack cocaine.
Toronto Police began their investigation in January after they were contacted by a children's aid agency.
It is not yet known when Children's Aid became aware of the alleged drug use and sexual activity or if it had previous dealings with the mother and daughter.
The girl has been under medical care since January.
"There was cocaine in her system," said Supt. Taverner, who added that the girl is receiving therapy and other medical treatment.
The Criminal Code offence of corrupting children makes it illegal to engage in adultery, sexual immorality, habitual drunkenness or "any other sort of vice," in the home of a child.
It carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
In contrast, the offence of living off the avails of prostitution of someone under the age of 18 carries a minimum sentence of two years in jail and a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
"We believe there was an exchange of money or drugs for sex acts," Supt. Taverner said.
He declined to say if the mother is alleged to have received money or drugs from men in exchange for sex with her daughter.
But the senior officer said police expect to charge more men.
The investigation has been hampered because police know only the street names of the other suspects.
The mother cannot be named to protect the identity of her daughter.
The six men who have already been charged will appear in court next on Sept. 14. Two of the men are free on bail.
Charged with sexual assault and sexual interference are Harold
Cover, 55, of Mississauga; Radcliffe Parchment, 19, of Toronto; Muralee Balasubramaniam, 50, of no fixed address; Neil Rose, 44, of Brampton; Dennis Guthrie, 52, of Whitby; and Linton Lewis, 47, of Brampton.
Mr. Cover also faces trafficking charges.
Additional charges of weapons dangerous and assault with intent to resist arrest were filed against Mr. Balasubramaniam.
© National Post 2007
> Toronto police expect to lay more charges in the case of a mentally disabled girl who was allegedly given drugs and sexually assaulted by a string of men while living in a crack house with her mother.
This is why abortion is legal.
Charged with various sex offences are: Harold Cover, 55, of Mississauga, Dennis Guthrie, 52, of Whitby, Muralee Balasubramaniam, 50, of no fixed address, Linton Lewis, 47, and Neil Rose, 44, both of Brampton, and Radcliffe Parchment, 19, of Toronto.
I guess the cops didn't get any, huh.