Thunder Bay Police Service officers arrested a man offering babysitting services online despite his court-order prohibiting him from being in a position of trust or authority over children.
An officer with the service's Uniform Patrol Branch began an investigation on March 11 into a complaint regarding a suspicious male’s attempts to purchase diapers from a local woman.
Further investigation led police to learn the same suspicious male was offering babysitting services via Kijiji.
The user name advertising the babysitter services was Anthony COCEANCIC, but police determined that was an alias used by Anthony BARNES, 39, of Oliver Paipoonge.
BARNES is on a Prohibition Order in relation to children.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Cyber Crimes Unit became involved in the investigation. Their investigation located another incident in which the accused offered to provide babysitting services online.
On Wednesday, April 1, BARNES was arrested. He faces a charge of Breach Prohibition Order in Relation to Children.
He was released from custody with conditions a future appearance date.