On October 12, 2022, Beaverlodge RCMP received a report of sexually explicit photos being distributed by an Educational Assistant. As a result of an investigation, more than one victim was identified. On Jan. 14, 2023, RCMP arrested 21-year-old Maddison Peterson, a resident of Grande Prairie County. Peterson has been charged with:

·Sexual interference

·Making sexually explicit material available to a child

·Luring a child

·Invitation to sexual touching

·Sexual assault

·Obstruct Police Officer.

Peterson has been taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on conditions with her next court date set for Feb. 6, 2023, at Grande Prairie Provincial Court.

At the time of the offences, Peterson had briefly been working as an Educational Assistant at Hythe Regional School of the Peace Wapiti School Board.

PWPSD has released this statement:

Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) shares that, while the incidents did not occur at the school, as soon as the Division became aware that Ms. Peterson had allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct towards its students, the school principal called and reported the concerns to the RCMP. PWPSD immediately took necessary steps to preserve student safety, including removing Ms. Peterson from her duties as an educational assistant and terminating her employment with PWPSD. As this situation involved a risk to student safety, the parents of affected students were informed of the situation and of the supports that are available to PWPSD students and their families.

Beaverlodge RCMP believe there may be additional victims and encourage those individuals to come forward.

If you have any information on this crime or any other crime, you are asked to contact the Beaverlodge RCMP at 780-345-2485 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

Information provided by the Beaverlodge RCMP and PWPSD