Sex assault victim's mom issues warning

The mother of a six-year-old Winnipeg girl who was sexually assaulted on the long weekend says the girl was lured away from a Spence Neighbourhood playgroundandtaken to a home where she was attacked.

While police continue to investigate the Sunday incident, the girl's mother spoke out on Tuesday to warn other parents to keep a close eye on their children.

"You can't trust the park anymore these days My children want to go out to play again but knowing they're there what if he's standing there?" she said.

"I'm not even letting them out the door."

She said her daughter was playing with her older brothers at theplaygroundat the Magnus EliasonRecreation Centre at Ellice Avenue and Langside Street when she was approached by a man at about 9:30 p.m. CT.

The mothersaidher daughtertold heramanledherfrom theplay areato a nearbyhome where he attacked her.

A police spokesmandescribed the assault as a "horrific incident."

The mothersaid the girl's siblings, who are between eight and 12 years old, took their eyes offher for only a moment before realizing she was gone.

'You can't trust the park anymore these days.' Mother of girl who was sexually assaulted

The mother said they immediately began searching the area but the girl didn't reappearat theplayground until about 10 p.m.

Shelooked disheveled and wasmissing a shoe.

"She was crying and she told me what happened and I called 911 immediately," the mother said.

The girl said the assault happened indoors at a home in the area.

Police have not yet announced any arrests.

The mother said she now wants to move her family from the area because she is concerned the culprit knows where she and her children live.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact investigators at 986-6868 or Crime Stoppers at 786-8477.