On Saturday, August 9, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m. uniform members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) attended an address in St. Catharines in response to an indecent act call for service.
The initial investigation determined that a third-party group using online decoy tactics had identified what they believed to be a child predator. The group confronted the individual at his residence before contacting police to turn over their evidence.
Detectives with the NRPS Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit assumed carriage of the investigation.
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, detectives identified and arrested Darren R. FOX, a 49-year-old St. Catharines resident, for the following Criminal Code offences:
Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Sexual Interference Luring a Child via Telecommunication to Facilitate Invitation to Sexual Touching Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child Making Child Pornography (written and audio recording)
FOX remains in custody and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing Thursday, August 14, 2025, via video link to the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St. Catharines.
Through their investigation, detectives have reason to believe there are further victims. The accused also used an online alias of “Brett Donovan”.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact detectives at (905) 688-4111, dial option 3, ext. 1009128.
Online platforms that allow like-minded users to engage with minors, create, share, and store Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) are prevalent on the Internet. Offenders who attempt to lure children behind anonymous accounts on different platforms can be identified and will be held accountable for their actions. For more information on how parents and guardians can keep children safe online CLICK HERE.
The Niagara Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet and conducts investigations into Internet Child Exploitation Offences in partnership with Ontario Police Services and International Partners. This investigative initiative has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.