Calgary man charged with sexual assault against 3 kids at Midnapore day home

Calgary police have charged a 69-year-old man with numerous sex offences, alleging he inappropriately touched three children at a day home in the community of Midnaporeover a span of three years.

Kenneth AlfredJenkinson faces three countsof sexual assault and three counts of sexual interference.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2013 and 2016 at a private, unlicensed day home in the 170 block ofMidglenPlace S.E.

"We believe we have multiple victims being sexually abused multiple times over the past several years,"StaffSgt. Robert Rutledge said.

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Investigators are now looking to get in touch with other parents who have had children at the day home, which police said has been inoperation for at least 16 years.

Rutledge said day homes with fewer than seven children don't require a licence and police can't stop this facility from operating, but noted Jenkinson has been released from custody with conditions not to have any contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Neighbours reeling

Fred Van Den Berg lives across the street from day home. He says he and his neighbours are reeling from the situation.

"A lot of people are really upset about it. I know there's quite a few kids that are in the neighbourhood and in the area that spent quite a bit of time over there. So it'll just take some time in order to gather our thoughts and feelings," he said.

He says the day home has been around for about 30 years. He has known the couple for about 36 years.

Police saidJenkinsonlivedat the day home withthe operator of the facility. Neither was previously known to police.

Authorities became involved after a young child told his or her parents about being inappropriately touched by a man while staying at the day home.

Investigators arenot publiclyidentifyingthe age or gender of the child.

When the child'sparents began looking into the matter,two other children who had stayed at the day home said they, too, had been inappropriately touched.

Police are asking all past clients of the day home andanyone with information about the facility to contact them at403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers.

More information about how to recognize signs of child abuse is availablefrom the SheldonKennedy Child Advocacy Centre.