Three young adults have been charged in a serious case of alleged child abuse in the Orillia area.
All three are being held in custody.
Now, people learning about the nature of the charges are shocked.
“Horrified,” says one Orillia resident. “Horrified. It’s just awful.”
Another says, “I have little kids and you always think that could be mine like there's just no other way to think about it.”
The three young adults are facing multiple charges related to crimes involving children. The charges include making and distributing child pornography, sexual assault, bestiality, voyeurism, and conspiring to kidnap a child.
Shayne Lund of Penetanguishene, 22, is the son of an OPP officer. His co-accused are 20-year-old girlfriend Avery Taylor of Orillia and 19-year-old Kathryn Thompson also of Orillia.
Lund is facing more than 100 charges. He appeared in court on Friday, but remains in custody. So do the two women arrested.
"(Thompson) was arrested around (Oct. 3 or Oct. 4) and has been in custody ever since,” says Thompson’s defense counsel Angela McLeod.
McLeod is waiting for more information from the Crown before a bail hearing can proceed. Orillia residents may be up-in-arms about the alleged crimes but McLeod feels that if Thompson were to be released, public safety wouldn’t be at risk.
“There are conditions that as counsel we would propose by way of supervision that can range from at the very least having a surety, having someone watch her, to being under house arrest, potentially having electronic monitory by way of a bracelet,” McLeod says. “If I come to the place to propose a plan it will be one that will address all safety concerns to the community.”
The OPP have so far refused to do an interview with CTV News about the case. It's not clear at this point if investigators believe they know who all the victims are.
