A staff member at SickKids Hospital in Toronto faces charges in connection with an investigation by the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, marking the second arrest in recent weeks.
The Toronto police initiated an investigation in October 2024 into the suspected luring of a minor under 18 via telecommunications. According to authorities, the accused allegedly engaged with a 15-year-old through social media and messaging apps, making inappropriate remarks and sharing explicit images.
A search warrant was executed on July 29 in the Don Mills Road and Highway 401 area, resulting in the seizure of multiple electronic devices and documents.
Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz, 55, from Toronto, was taken into custody and is charged with various offenses including luring a minor via telecommunication and possession of explicit material involving minors. Dela Cruz, a member of the hospital’s housekeeping staff, resigned after being placed on leave following the charges.
This incident follows the arrest of Dr. Dilan Dissanayake on July 21 on similar charges, although SickKids stated that the two employees were not connected.
SickKids emphasized that there is no indication linking the criminal charges to the employees’ duties at the hospital, as per information provided by the Toronto police.
It’s important to note that none of the accusations have been proven in court.
Keyphrase: SickKids Hospital employee charges