Court documents reveal that the 25-year-old man charged in connection with a break-in and sexual assault of a child in Welland has a prior criminal history.
Daniel Senecal was previously convicted in 2021 of sexual assault of a minor, sexual interference, and choking, and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
The latest incident, which allegedly occurred on Sunday, August 31, has deeply shocked the community and raised questions about whether it could have been prevented.
Senecal now faces multiple charges, including aggravated sexual assault of a person under 16, assault, assault by choking, and break and enter.
Police initially described the attack as a stranger assault, but friends of the family have said the accused was known to them.
(Written by Brandon Warby)