Montreal-area man who sexually abused autistic teen sentenced to prison

Kevin Patenaude pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teen with autism and was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Monday.

WARNING: Details in this story may be disturbing to some readers

A man from Montreal’s South Shore who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenager was sentenced to nearly three years in prison Monday.

Kevin Patenaude was arrested three years ago after the assault on a 14-year-old who lived in the same building as him.

According to a joint statement of facts, the two met in the hallways, and Patenaude convinced the autistic girl to follow him to his apartment.

The victim’s father started worrying when he noticed she was missing, because she requires constant supervision.

Police were called, and knocked on every door of the building — including that of the accused — but Patenaude had told the girl to hide in a closet. When she returned home, she told her family what happened.

Police obtained a warrant to get a DNA sample from Patenaude.

Instead of going to the local police detachment, he sent a friend to provide a sample. Investigators had doubts, especially because the friend couldn’t provide any identification.

“They quickly realized that they didn’t have the right person in front of them” prosecutor Bruno Des Lauriers told CTV News. “So he was also arrested and charged for this. It was a very bad idea that they had.”

Patenaude pleaded guilty to sexual assault, obstruction of justice, and breach of probation.

He was sentenced to 34 months in prison following a joint submission by the defence and the prosecution.

At the hearing Monday, the prosecutor read a victim impact statement from the teen’s mother.

“These actions had a profound impact on all of us,” the mother said. “It left profound wounds which may never fully heal.”

The identity of the victim and her family is protected by a court order.

“She lost her self confidence, and her curiosity and innocence was replaced by fear and suspicion,” the statement continued.

The prosecutor said the parents feel deeply affected

“It’s also very difficult for a mother to know that she was not able to protect her daughter from something like this,” concluded Des Lauriers.

Once Patenaude is released from prison he will be on probation for five years, meaning he will have to respect certain conditions including, not being near children under 16.

He will also be listed on Canada’s sex offender registry and will have to update the courts of his whereabouts for a period of 20 years.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, here are some resources that are available:

• The Montreal Sexual Assault Centre: 514-731-8531, ext. 47456; [e-mail]
• CAVAC (Centre d’Aide aux Victimes d’Actes Criminels): 1-888-933-9007 or 514 933-9007 (Greater Montreal)