Injured Ontario girl, 8, wasn't attacked by animal; police charge 17-year-old with sexual assault

An investigation into an attack that seriously injured an eight-year-old girl in the town of Quadeville, Ont., took an unexpected and terrifying turn after OPP arrested a 17-year-old male yesterday and charged him with attempted murder and sexual assault with a weapon on a person under 16 years old.

“This has definitely been a tough one for our officers, as it has been for the entire community,” an OPP spokesman told National Post. “Sometime people forget that many police officers are also parents.”

Police had originally suspected an animal attack  when the injured child was found by officers from the OPP’s Upper Ottawa Valley detachment along Quadeville Road at around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25. She was transported to hospital and later to a regional trauma centre. She remains under the care of medical professionals.

An individual has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an attack on a child in Quadeville, southeast of Barry's Bay.On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, shortly after 9:00 p.m., officers with the Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police… pic.twitter.com/izGrp7hA5t

— OPP East Region (@OPP_ER) July 10, 2025

“During the investigation, the cause of the victim’s injuries was unclear,” police said in a release announcing the arrest. “While early evidence suggested a possible animal attack, investigators did not rule out human involvement. To aid in the investigation, multiple pathology experts were consulted.”

They added: “While the incident is still under investigation, recent testing of samples taken from the victim’s wounds has now revealed no traces of animal DNA.”

The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date. Neither the accused nor the victim has been named.

The OPP does not comment on specific numbers of officers involved in a case, the spokesman for the OPP East Region told National Post: “We continue to have a large contingent of officers, from detectives to our Emergency Response Team in the area to continue the investigation, as it continues to unfold. Our presence has also included front line officers, multiple Canine Units, our victim specialists, and other support units.”

In an interview last month, Joseph Fiorentino, the pastor at the Quadeville Pentacostal Church, acting as the spokesperson for the victim’s family, said of the girl: “When she sees you, she always approaches with a huge smile. She has a spunky soul that is full of kindness, love for others, and spiritual curiosity.  If you have had a challenging day, this little lady is going to cheer you up and make you smile. However, her smile is always bigger.”

Police have scheduled a town hall meeting in Quadeville for Saturday, July 12, to address questions and concerns from the community, though the time and location are not yet known. It will not be livestreamed, “as this is really intended as a meeting to talk to the local residents,” the spokesman said.

“The OPP acknowledges the community’s concerns regarding this incident and sincerely appreciates the public’s patience as the investigation progresses,” the OPP said in its most recent release.

Anyone with relevant video or other information is asked to contact the OPP’s Upper Ottawa Valley detachment at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers.

The remote community of Quadeville is about two hours east of Ottawa by car, and a similar distance north of Kingston, Ont.

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