Operation Unit d Children of the Alberta Integrated Policing Team (ALERT) have been investigating the case since March.
A former teacher who worked at several Edmonton public schools and daycare centers is charged with child luring and child pornography.
Brennan Gorman, 27, was arrested at his St. Albert home on Saturday, according to the Alberta Integrated Policing Team (ALERT). He faces one charge of child luring and three child pornography charges in connection with alleged offenses against a Parkland County girl under the age of 16.
ALERT's Internet Child Exploitation Unit began investigating the case in March, Sgt Kerry said Shima.
“The complaint was that Brennan Gorman presented himself as a teacher to his victim, successfully gained his trust, established a relationship, and ultimately provided him with sexual images and videos.
— Sergeant Kerry Shima
In addition, investigators received a tip that the suspect was involved in the disappearance of a Florida girl or that #x27;he was aware of this disappearance.
The missing girl was found safe and sound in Florida.
According to ALERT, Brennan Gorman was found to have no direct involvement in her disappearance, but additional charges of child luring and child pornography are pending in relation to her interactions in online with this girl.
According to ALERT, the accused recently worked at Balwin School, a K-9 public school in northeast Edmonton, where he taught children with of autism spectrum disorders. He had also worked in 2022 at Belmead School and Good Shepherd Catholic Elementary School.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the public schools of x27;Edmonton said it is aware of charges against a former staff member and that this individual is no longer employed by Edmonton Public Schools.
The spokesperson added that a team of trained social workers and psychologists will assist students, staff and families when needed.
According to investigators, the accused also worked at several local child care centres, including:
- Little Learners Fort Road, Edmonton in 2021.
- Little Learners St .-Albert, in Saint-Albert in 2021.
- Klarvatten Plaza Daycare, in Edmonton, in 2019-2020.
- Richard Secord Out of School Care, in Edmonton in 2018-2019.
- Discoveryland Childcare & OSC, in Edmonton in 2018.
The news release says the Edmonton Public School Board and child care centers are cooperating with the police investigation.
No charges have been laid in relation to the accused's work at either school or daycare.
Investigators say Brennan Gorman may have used the pseudonym Steve and introduced himself to the youths as a teacher. Police believe there may be other victims in the Edmonton area, but Kerry Shima urges parents not to panic.
Nora Nadifi, whose children attend Balwin School, finds it disturbing that Brennan Gorman has worked with children with special needs, who cannot communicate verbally.
Kerry Shima said authorities were equipped to help children if needed.
Brennan Gorman was released and ordered to follow a certain number of conditions imposed by the court. In particular, he must not keep a job that would put him in a position of trust or authority vis-à-vis a young person, and not attend schools.
< p class="e-p">His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5, in St. Albert.
With information from Paige Parsons, Andrea Huncar and Scott Stevenson< /em>
