Public assists in locating HIV positive Edmonton teen

Public assistance is being credited with helping the Edmonton Police Service locate an HIV positive teen wanted in connection with an ongoing sexual assault investigation.

Shortly after the public safety warning was issued on Friday, August 5, police received a number of calls from individuals who reported seeing her hitchhiking out of Edmonton, and later getting into a truck in Edson. With the assistance of the RCMP, the teen was taken into custody in Edson on Saturday, August 6.

The 17-year-old female is currently in custody and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Because of the public safety warning, another complainant has come forward to detectives, and additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

“This is a safety concern for the community, and we want to ensure that the teen and anyone she has had sexual contact with, get the appropriate medical care that they need,” said Detective Barb Clover, EPS Sexual Assault Section.

Background:

The EPS Sexual Assault Section asked for the public’s assistance in locating a 17-year-old female after she had allegedly engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with a number of partners without disclosing her status as being HIV positive. Detectives began the investigation after two complainants came forward. Failure to disclose one’s status as HIV positive is a criminal offense if you know you are HIV positive. This falls under Section 273 (2) (b) Criminal Code of Canada – aggravated sexual assault. The EPS received a court order to release the female’s information to the public.