“We are open to the possibility that there may be more victims and we are asking anyone with information to come forward,” said Alberta RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.
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A Fort McMurray couple and a woman from Sandy Beach, Alta. have been charged with multiple child sexual abuse offences that Alberta RCMP say date back to 2005.
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Police say the charges were issued after investigating “allegations of historical physical and sexual child abuse” in Edson. Investigators allege the crimes took place between 2005 and 2011.
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Police arrested Jimmy Allen Fransen, 51, of Fort McMurray on March 21 and charged him with child sexual offences. On April 8, police arrested Sherina Marie Handsor, 43, of Sandy Beach in connection with the investigation.
Alberta RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said after this initial investigation was done, another person came forward with more allegations of sexual abuse against children. Investigators allege these incidents happened in Fort McMurray between 2017 and 2023.
Police again arrested Fransen and Brenda Disher (also known as Brenda Fransen), 45, of Fort McMurray on April 6.
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“We are open to the possibility that there may be more victims and we are asking anyone with information to come forward,” said Savinkoff in an interview.
The Fransens are charged with sexual assault; making, distributing and possessing child pornography, sexual interference involving a child, sexual exploitation, and trafficking a person under the age of 18.
From his March arrest, Jimmy is charged with sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual interference with a child under the age of 16, sexual exploitation, possessing and making child pornography. He is also charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life. Savinkoff says this applies to a person charged with caring for another individual does not provide what is needed for a healthy life.
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Handsor is charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and failure to provide the necessaries of life.
The Fransens are on bail and are restricted from interacting with children. Jimmy is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Edson on May 7. Both of the Fransens will make a court appearance on April 29 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray.
Anyone with information about any missing people or criminal activity is asked to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4040 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Tips to Crime Stoppers are always anonymous and can be sent to tipsubmit.com.
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vmcdermott@postmedia.com
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