Key Takeaways
- A 28-year-old registered sex offender, Scott William George, has been charged with assault, forcible confinement, and failing to comply with a prohibition involving children after grabbing a child in a St. Vital elementary school bathroom.
- The child, whose age and gender were not disclosed, fought back and broke free from the man, and did not require medical treatment.
- The incident occurred at Darwin School, a kindergarten to Grade 8 school in the Louis Riel School Division, and led to a hold and secure situation, with outside doors locked and watched.
- George has a criminal record dating back to 2015, including convictions for breaking and entering, theft, and weapons-related offences, and was sentenced to two years for sexual interference in 2023.
- The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are encouraging parents and caregivers to speak to their children about safety and the importance of reporting suspicious incidents.
Introduction to the Incident
The Winnipeg police have arrested a 28-year-old man, Scott William George, in connection with an incident at a St. Vital elementary school, where a child was grabbed by a stranger in a bathroom. The incident occurred on Thursday, and the police were called to the school around 1:30 p.m. after a report of an adult stranger who had entered the school and confronted a child. Const. Dani McKinnon, speaking at a Friday news conference, said that the man was a complete stranger to the child and the school community.
The Incident Unfolds
According to McKinnon, the man hid in a washroom stall in the school, and when a student came out of another stall, he grabbed hold of the child. However, the student fought back and broke free from the man, and then ran to tell a teacher what had happened. The child did not require medical treatment, and the school was placed in a hold and secure situation, with outside doors locked and watched. The police believe that the man fled the scene before they arrived, but an "eagle-eyed" witness in a vehicle followed him to a nearby mall, where he was taken into custody with the help of mall security.
The Suspect’s Background
Scott William George, the suspect, has been a registered sex offender since he pleaded guilty to sexual interference in 2023. He was sentenced to two years for the crime, which involved sexually touching a person under 16 years old. George’s criminal record stretches back to 2015 and includes convictions for breaking and entering, theft, forcible entry, mischief, and weapons-related offences. A prohibition order was also in place to prevent George from having contact with children or being in spaces where they would typically be. McKinnon said that the police are still investigating how the man got into the school and what his motive was.
Response and Investigation
The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are encouraging parents and caregivers to speak to their children about safety and the importance of reporting suspicious incidents. McKinnon said that the "light at the end of the tunnel" is that the child was not physically harmed, and praised the student for being brave and fighting back. The police are asking anyone who wants to speak with an investigator to contact the child abuse unit at 204-986-3296, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or online. McKinnon also emphasized the importance of children knowing what to do if they find themselves in a similar situation, saying "If something looks wrong, feels wrong — fight your way out of it [and] talk to a safe adult."
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident has raised concerns about school safety and the need for vigilance in preventing such incidents. The police are working to determine how the man was able to enter the school and what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the meantime, the school community is coming to terms with the incident, and the child who was grabbed is receiving support. The police are encouraging everyone to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. By working together, the community can help prevent such incidents and keep children safe.