On Friday September 13, 2024 at 1:33pm, detectives with the Child Abuse Unit with the Niagara Regional Police Service began an investigation into a serious assault that occurred at the Way to Grow Daycare located at 6071 Valley Way, in the City of Niagara Falls involving a child attending the daycare.
As a result of the investigation, detectives determined a 26 year old male employee at Way to Grow Daycare choked and assaulted a child under the age of 5. The child sustained injuries as a result of the incident.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at approximately 3:40 pm, Matthew MAXWELL (26 years old) of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the offence of Aggravated Assault contrary to section 268 of the Criminal Code.
MAXWELL was held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on September 18, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Detectives have reason to believe there may be more victims. Prior to Way to Grow Daycare, MAXWELL was employed at Niagara Nursery School & Child Care Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009468.
Anyone who may have information or if anyone suspects their child may have been a victim of an assault at these locations is asked to contact detectives.
Members of the public 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 persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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