A female has been arrested following an investigation into two adults arranging to meet to sexually exploit a child.
On Thursday, December 28, 2023, members of the Durham Regional Police Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) arrested a Bowmanville male after he arranged to meet with an American female for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts against the female’s daughter.
Further analysis of the accused male’s phone revealed a conversation from the app ‘KIK’ between the male and another female from Canada with the username ‘harleyquinn_613’. The conversation detailed arrangements to engage in sexual offences against a young child. The ICE Unit, in collaboration with members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the OPP, the DRPS Cyber Crime Unit, and the Canadian Borders Services Agency (CBSA), worked diligently to identify the woman and gather evidence.
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., members of the DRPS ICE Unit and Electronic Crimes Unit, executed a search warrant at an address in Smiths Falls, Ontario. The female suspect was located inside of the residence and taken into custody without incident.
Sheena SMITH, age 37 from Smiths Falls is charged with: Agree/Arrange to Commit Sexual Offence Against a Child Under 16, Make Child Pornography, Possess Child Pornography, Access Child Pornography, and Make Child Pornography Available.
She was held for a bail hearing.
Police are concerned there may be other victims and are requesting anyone with information to come forward.
For more information on our ICE unit and resources that are available please visit our website at https://www.drps.ca/community-safety-and-support/crime-prevention/internet-safety-and-child-exploitation/
The Durham Regional Police would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Canadian National and Ontario Provincial Strategies to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet. This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Mayhew of the Major Crime Internet Child Exploitation Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5502.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
