Warning: Content in this article may be upsetting and triggering to readers. Convicted of violently sexually assaulting vulnerable women and trying to lure a child online, Michael L’Enfant has now been sentenced to another four years behind bars. L’Enfant, 33, of Midland, Ont., pleaded guilty in October 2025 to abusing intimate partners and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars less time served in pre-sentence custody. He admitted to five counts of sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and choking several women between 2011 and 2024. The court heard L’Enfant sent several messages to a teenage girl over the course of 17 months inviting the teen to his home to play with his puppies and help paint his bedroom. During her judgement and sentencing decision, Justice Angela McLeod described L’Enfant’s actions as a “cat and mouse game” as he flirted with the child, telling the teen, “How is it going, beautiful?” Following repeated attempts to message the teen, L’Enfant wrote, “If you ever want to chat,” followed by a shush emoji and one with a tongue sticking out. Despite the defence’s suggestions about what L’Enfant’s use of a shush emoji could have meant, the court agreed with the Crown and ruled the emoji meant L’Enfant wanted the girl to keep their online conversations a secret. Justice McLeod said L’Enfant’s actions demonstrated “grooming and predatory behaviour” as he attempted to prepare his victim for increasingly intrusive abuse. A publication ban protects the identity of the teen. L’Enfant will have to wait another two years before his consecutive sentence begins for trying to lure the child. L’Enfant has previous convictions for assault with a weapon and uttering threats. He was initially granted bail on Nov. 1, 2024, following his arrest by provincial police in Midland. Weeks later, while out of custody under strict conditions, L’Enfant violated his release order, which required him to be with his father at all times when not at home. L’Enfant was arrested and returned to jail, where he remained until his sentencing hearing. As part of his sentence, L’Enfant has been placed on the sex offender registry for life. His consecutive sentences run until early 2032.
