A 17-year-old is facing sexual assault charges, after a police-issued public safety warning generated several tips leading to her arrest.
Police released the name, and picture of the teen Friday, after she allegedly engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with a number of partners, without disclosing her HIV-positive status.
It's unusual for a minor's identity to be made public, but police sought permission from the court, and it was granted Friday morning – as they felt the teen was a threat to public safety.
She was found Saturday after police received tips from several people, saying she had been seen hitchhiking out of the city, then seen getting into a truck in Edson.
With the help of RCMP in the town, she was arrested.
Although she is now in custody, police are still asking anyone who engaged in unprotected sex with her to come forward, and to also seek medical attention immediately.
"This is a safety concern for the community," Detective Barb Clover with the EPS Sexual Assault Section said in a press release. "We want to ensure that the teen and anyone she has had sexual contact with, get the appropriate medical care they need."
At the time the warning was issued, two people who said they were recently involved with the teen had already come forward.
As a result, the 17-year-old is facing two charges of aggravated sexual assault.
After her picture was released, another complainant came forward – and further charges are pending as the police investigation continues.
Failure of an HIV-positive person to inform a sexual partner of their HIV status is a criminal offence.
