Victim’s loved ones come forward after teen’s alleged attacker released into community

It’s a nightmare for any parent, thinking a “family friend” could sexually abuse your daughter and now, they’re left wondering why he’s been released into the community.

One parent has come forward to 660 NEWS after being unable to get the answers he wanted from the Calgary Police Service and he’s worried there could be other victims.

We’re not releasing the name of the dad in order to protect his daughter.

The accused is 67-year-old Ronald Stanley Pearson of Calgary.

He’s been charged with one count each of sexual interference with a child under 16, invitation to sexual touching with a child under 16 and sexual assault.

Pearson was arrested on June 13, 2016 and released into his Thorncliffe community on promise to appear in court with conditions.

The suspect in the case can’t have any contact with the victim or witnesses, and he cannot be around children under the age of 16.

Speaking to 660 NEWS from out of province due to work reasons, the alleged victim’s father says there are a lot of things going through his head right now.

“Evil thoughts, evil thoughts I can’t say on radio or television, that’s for sure,” he said. “Anger, fear, frustration, hatred, you just don’t know what to think, that these things will happen, you don’t expect they’ll happen and you don’t know what to think when they do happen.”

“She’s doing ok, she basically is kind of… she doesn’t what to talk about it anymore. We’re just basically giving her space and letting her come to us when she wants to talk and that’s going to be really the only way we’re going to be able to do this, just kind of give her time and she’ll come out when she wants to talk and wants our help, we’ll be there for her and that’s all we can do really.”

He credits a Calgary Board of Education program called “Sexual Awareness” that gave their child the knowledge that began the needed conversation.

It’s a concern for him that his daughter’s alleged attacker was released in the midst of an open investigation.

“Honestly, I will tell you that the Calgary police do everything they can, but this is a bigger problem than what the Calgary police are able to deal with as far as custody issues. This is all to do with our government and court system. I mean I don’t even know if this man has a previous conviction for this kind of thing, because as a member of the public, you can’t find out these things! You don’t know if your next door neighbour is a violent pedophile; this is something that we need to have our members of parliament change.

“As our privacy act sits right now, it’s the beasts and the predators that are protected and the children and the innocent people are not protected, because they allow these people into their lives not knowing who they really are.”

He admits investigators have a tough job moving forward because he doesn’t want his daughter’s alleged attacker to be released on a technicality.

“If they don’t take their time and they rush it, all he’s going to do is walk from this,” he said.

He’s hoping justice is served, but admits he doesn’t have a lot of faith in the current court system.

As for why he’s not in remand or behind bars, city police sent 660 NEWS a statement referring to the current Section 495 of the Criminal Code.

“Police are required by law to release people that are arrested without a warrant, unless the following conditions are met:

– Police have been unable to establish the accused’s identity
– The individual is accused of a crime that the Criminal Code requires to go to a bail hearing (including murder and a few other offences)
– Police have reasonable grounds to believe the individual, if released, will:
– Destroy evidence needed for the investigation
– Continue or repeat the offence, or commit a different offence
– Not attend court on the specified date

His next court appearance is July 26, 2016. Police say this is still an active investigation.

660 NEWS did catch Mr. Pearson at his northeast home and asked if he had any comment on the allegations, but he slammed the door.

Neighbours say the home is no stranger to police activity and had been wondering what was happening at that home on the corner lot.

“There are a few kids who lived around here,” said one man shocked to hear the allegations.

“He’s got a nine-year-old daughter,” said Tracey, just two doors down. “I talked to him one time. His daughter came over here to play and she lost a coat. And then I was coming back the next day from bringing my daughter to school, I introduced myself and he didn’t say anything, but I know he has a nine-year-old daughter.”

“Last summer was the last time I saw a little girl and from my understanding that was his daughter, that is concerning because I have four children and three daughters.”

“The house is a dump,” said another man. “I’ve seen the police there on a number of occasions and some of these rentals have people that are less than desirable.”