Teen charged with sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl

A 16-year-old St. Catharines male has been charged with sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl, police say. On Monday at about 3:30 p.m. Niagara Regional Police officers were called to a housing complex in the area of Welland Avenue and Cushman Road in St. Catharines after receiving a report that a sexual assault had just occurred. Officers, including detectives for the child abuse unit, started investigating an allegation a 16-year-old who resided in the area sexually assaulted the child. Police in a media release say it is believed the victim was targeted. Officers located and arrested the suspect, who has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference and failure to comply with a probation order. The suspect had a bail hearing Tuesday at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines. The suspect’s name cannot be released due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The investigation is ongoing by detectives from the child abuse unit. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 905-688-4111 ext. 5100.