Teen charged with attempted murder, assault in Quadeville attack on child

Police are now laying charges against a teenager in connection with a case that officials previously believed may have been an animal attack on a young girl in the rural Ottawa Valley.

The eight-year-old, from Quadeville, Ont., a small area northwest of Calabogie, was found June 24 suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries from what officials believed was a suspected animal attack.

The young child was found on Quadeville Road at 12:30 a.m. by search and rescue teams and was rushed to CHEO, where she remains in stable condition, recovering, police said in an update July 9.

Through the investigation, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers sought multiple pathology experts to determine if an animal had attacked the child.

“During the investigation, the cause of the victim’s injuries was unclear. While early evidence suggested a possible animal attack, investigators did not rule out human involvement,” police said in the latest update on Wednesday.

Recent testing of some samples taken from the young child’s wounds revealed to investigators no traces of animal DNA.

Now, as a result of the new evidence, officers laid charges against a 17-year-old male from eastern Ontario.

The accused is facing:

• Attempt to commit murder – section 239(1)(b)
• Sexual assault with a weapon on a person under 16 years old – section 272(1)(a)

The name of the suspect will not be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is set to appear in court at a later date, the press release notes.

Just prior to these charges being laid, OPP asked the public for a possible witness in the area who they believed could help them.

“The OPP acknowledges the community’s concerns regarding this incident and sincerely appreciates the public’s patience as the investigation progresses,” officials note.

This incident has had a profound impact on the community, to the extent that police are holding a town hall meeting on July 12 in Quadeville to address questions and concerns from residents.

More information will be shared soon, police said.

A community fundraiser helping support the family has more than three times the goal.

In an update on July 1 they share, “The Bard family wants to thank you all again for this incredible show of support for…They were able to see her today and want you to know that she is showing signs of improvement.”