Child and Youth Counsellor at Halton District Catholic School Board Charged with Sexual Exploitation
As a result of an investigation, the Halton Regional Police Service - Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA) has arrested a Child and Youth Counsellor currently employed by the Halton District Catholic School Board.
On September 26, Fernando Costa (53) of Oakville was arrested and charged with the following:
Sexual Exploitation Sexual Assault
At the time of his arrest, Costa was employed as a Child and Youth Counsellor at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Oakville.
The charges stem from offences involving a student in 2001. At that time, Costa was working at Bishop P.F. Reding Secondary School in Milton.
Costa has been employed as a child and youth counsellor by the school board since 1990 has worked at various elementary and high schools during this time. He has also been involved with coaching sports teams at various schools.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this or similar incidents to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit - Detective Sergeant Chris Newcombe at 905-465-8965 or Detective Constable Tiffany Lyons at 905-465-8976. This investigation has been funded and made possible through a grant from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers "See Something? Hear Something? Know Something?" Contact "Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca. Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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