Calgary, AB,
10
May
2023
|
10:29
America/Denver

Charges laid in daycare investigation

We have laid charges against two employees of a local childcare facility who are believed to be responsible for physically harming a child who attended the daycare.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) was made aware of allegations of physical abuse that occurred at Kidzee Early Learning and Childcare, a licensed childcare facility located at 11110 11 Street N.E.

The parents of a child who attended the facility found physical markings on the child, and the parents notified police.

The CPS Child at Risk Response Team (CARRT) began investigating immediately. Over the course of four months, investigators collected and reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and conducted numerous interviews which resulted in evidence of assault.

As a result, on Thursday, April 27, 2023, two employees of the childcare facility were arrested and charged.

Rita NIURE, 29, and Mursal AKBARI, 31, are both charged with one count each of assault.

Both are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Kidzee Early Learning and Childcare remains permanently closed.

“This investigation required resources and collaboration both internally and externally, including CARRT, our Child Abuse Unit as well as working together with our partners at Alberta Health Services and the Ministry of Children’s Services,” says Staff Sergeant Brad Moore of the CPS Child Abuse Unit. “Together, we were able to secure valuable evidence that would support the appropriate charges in relation to these disturbing allegations.”

Anyone who is a victim of assault, or believes they know someone who is, is asked to contact the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234, or call 9-1-1 for a crime in progress, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: "P3 Tips"

CA22505448/5089