Woman accused of child sex crimes, bestiality freed on bail
Conditions include having no contact with toddler, preschooler girls in case
A Saskatoon judge has granted bail to a 26-year-old woman charged with sexually assaulting two young girls, making child pornography, and bestiality.
The woman, who cannot be identified to protect the children's identities, appeared Thursday in Saskatoon provincial court by video from jail.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 24.
Judge Marilyn Gray imposed several stringent conditions for the woman's release.
She must report to her probation officer upon her release; cannot contact the children, who are two and four years old (unless it is facilitated by social services); and cannot contact anyone under the age of 16 except in the presence of someone approved by her probation officer.
She can't live in any home with domestic animals and can't possess or use any electronic devices capable of accessing the internet unless she has special permission in specific work or school-related circumstances.
She will also be on a 24-hour curfew and must submit to any police searches as required.
A standard, court-ordered publication ban prevents the reporting of any details heard during the bail hearing, including the judge's reasons for the decision.
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, there are three grounds for detention: primary, secondary and tertiary.
The primary ground relates to whether an accused person will show up for court dates, and the secondary ground relates to public safety.
The tertiary ground determines “if the detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice, having regard to all the circumstances.” This takes into account the strength of the Crown's case, the gravity of the offence, the circumstances of the alleged offence and the likelihood of a lengthy prison term.
The woman made her first court appearance on Feb. 9, charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, two counts of invitation to sexual touching, arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child, making child porn, distributing child porn, and bestiality.
According to police, an alert about images being shared over social media on Jan. 11 led to the woman's arrest.
It's believed the alleged abuse started in December 2019, police said.