Brampton mayor blasts feds for releasing 'monster' child molester in his city
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A convicted pedophile with a lengthy history of preying on young girls is now living as a woman in a Brampton halfway house.
And Mayor Patrick Brown – upon learning of the serial child molester in his city’s midst -fired off a letter to the federal minister of public safety expressing his outrage.
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“It is completely unacceptable that Matthew Harks (now Madilyn Harks), has been dumped by Correctional Service Canada in Brampton,” he wrote in the letter to Ralph Goodale on Saturday.
“This is a pedophile with multiple convictions including three convictions of sexual assault against girls under the age of 8 and this monster has claimed to have victimized 60 girls,” Brown pointed out. “The fact that Ms. Harks is in a halfway house instead of jail is a clear example of our justice system is broken.”
Out of concern for public safety, Peel Regional Police issued an advisory Friday explaining the pedophile now calls the area of Main and Queen Sts. home.
“Harks has been subject to three convictions of sexual assault against young females under the age of eight,” police stated in the advisory. “Harks’ young victims have included neighbours and a fellow member of a church congregation.”
Police said she is believed to be “at an elevated risk to re-offend,” so they will be working with Correctional Services “to monitor Harks’ activities within the community.”
Knowing of the risk to re-offend, Brown asked Goodale in his letter: “Why has she been released?”
“We demand answers from you,” he wrote.
Harks has reportedly claimed in the past to have molested 60 girls in B.C. and collected trophies from his victims.
Harks served three years behind bars for sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl and was released to a Calgary halfway house in April 2010.
But a week later Harks was reportedly caught with porn and the release was suspended.
Matthew Ralf Harks legally changed his name to Madilyn Rebecca Harks sometime between 2010 and 2012.
Calgary Police issued a public advisory when Harks was set free again in the summer of 2014, warning of the “high-risk” to re-offend.
Exactly what Harks has been up to from then until his most recent released this week is unclear.
Peel cops say Harks is “subject to a Long Term Supervision Order with numerous conditions prohibiting her from attending public swimming areas, daycares, school grounds, playgrounds or community centres.
She is also not allowed to be in the presence of any kids under 14 “unless accompanied by a responsible adult who has been approved by her parole supervisor.”
Police advise the public to “use caution if they encounter Harks.”
“Members of the public are reminded that, although Madilyn Harks does present a safety risk to the public, she remains a Canadian citizen and her rights are guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” police said, warning they protect her rights if they are infringed upon.
On Twitter: @SunDoucette
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