Charges laid after offences against children at a home-based daycare in Marshall

A disturbing story is developing in Marshall after the RCMP and the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) received a report about child pornography.

Marshall is about 20 kilometres southeast of Lloydminster.

Police executed a search warrant on July 14 at a residence in Marshall where a home-based daycare was operating.

Investigators seized two cellphones and two laptops and eventually located images of unknown children being sexually assaulted by a man.

Police alerted the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education the same day about what they found. The ministry suspended the daycare licence on July 16.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, 40-year-old Joseph Sproull of Marshall was arrested and charged with one count of possession of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, three counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual interference and three counts of making available child pornography.

Police said Sproull was living in the house where the home-based daycare was operating. He was remanded in custody and made his first court appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on Wednesday. He’s to make an appearance by video in Lloydminster court on Thursday.

Investigators are working to identify the victims in the images. They believe three young children were being assaulted. Their specific ages won’t be released to help protect their identity.

Police are meeting with the parents of the children who attended the daycare and support, including victim services, is being offered to affected individuals.

“This is an alarming, heartbreaking situation that affects the most vulnerable — young children. We are doing everything in our power to identity all the victims affected by this terrible situation and provide everyone the support they need right now,” Supt. Vincent Foy, officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit, said in a media release.

“I can only imagine the anguish those affected are going through and the anxiety the whole community is facing. Rest assured all required resources are being dedicated to this investigation.”

The North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) has taken over the sexual assault investigation with the assistance of Saskatchewan ICE, Maidstone RCMP, RCMP National Victim Identification Unit, North Battleford RCMP Forensic Identification Unit and the Midwest Victim Services Program. Part of this work will be determining if there are more victims.

Anyone who suspects their child has been a victim, or has information about these incidents, is asked to call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 1-306-446-1615. Anyone who requires support during this investigation is asked to contact the Midwest Victim Services Program at 1-780-874-5021.