21-year-old daycare worker charged in sexual assault investigation, more victims sought

A sexual assault investigation into a daycare worker prompted questions after nearly a year of calls for better policies to inform parents.

A 21-year-old man is facing a sexual assault charge following an investigation into a west Edmonton daycare.

Police say a parent reported an incident involving their child on April 8.

Officers identified Kulraj Singh, a 21-year-old teaching assistant, as the suspect. He was suspended by his employer and has since had his child-care certification suspended.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged Singh with sexual assault and sexual interference.

Singh was released on bail with conditions including having no contact with the complainant, not attending public swimming pools, schools or school yards, daycares, playgrounds, libraries or youth shelters unless accompanied by a sober adult who is aware of the charges.

Police say Singh also worked at a second daycare in central Edmonton and believe there could be additional victims. EPS did not provide the names of the daycares.

Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides said he thinks there is more that needs to be done to ensure parents are informed and updated accordingly.

“EPS has limitations on providing communication, I’ll leave that judgement to them as I know there’s an active criminal investigation underway,” said the minister Thursday morning.

Nicolaides added that he’s asked his officials to look at better ways to notify parents.

“The legislation stipulates that it is the requirement of the daycare operator to provide that notification to parents,” he said. “We are exploring whether the ministry or the Government of Alberta, writ large, should have a greater role in providing notification as well.”

Anyone with information about potential additional assaults is asked to contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.