** WARNING: The following story contains information that may be disturbing to some readers. **
RCMP have charged three people including two Fort McMurray residents with a litany of offenses involving physical and sexual abuse of children with some offenses going back over a decade.
On March 21, 2024, the RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit concluded its investigation into allegations of historical physical and sexual child abuse in Edson, Alberta. Jimmy Allen Fransen (51) from Fort McMurray was arrested and charged with a raft of crimes including Sexual Assault with a Weapon, Sexual Interference with a child, making and possessing child pornography, and failure to provide the necessities of life.
Following Fransen’s arrest, investigators charged Sherina Maria Handsor (43) of Sandy Beach, Alberta, with Forcible Confinement, Assault causing bodily harm, and failure to provide the necessities of life. All charges relate to the Edson investigation.
Earlier this month the police received unrelated reports including allegations against Jimmy Fransen. The new information relates to offenses occurring between 2017 and 2023. On April 6, 2024, Fransen along with 45-year-old Brenda Fransen (Disher) were arrested and charged with offenses including sexual assault, Trafficking a person under the age of 18, sexual exploitation, and making and distributing child pornography. Both were brought before a Justice of the Peace and released on bail with conditions restricting contact with children.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
Corporal Troy Savinkoff, Public Information Officer with the Alberta RCMP said there may be additional victims and police are asking anyone with information to contact the RCMP. Savinkoff is also urging the public not to engage in any vigilante action.
“These are serious offenses and are best left to the courts to handle,” said Savinkoff.
“Public interference such as threats or vigilante action are sometimes taken into consideration by the courts.”
If you have any information about this crime or those responsible, please contact the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch at 780-509-3290. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1‐800‐222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).
Further resources for victims of crime include:
Victims Services: Toll Free 1-888-788-4250 or 780-788-4250
Canadian Mental Health Association Wood Buffalo 24 HR Crisis Line 780-743-4357 or 1-800-565-3801
Some Other Solutions (SOS) Wood Buffalo: (780) 743-8605
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868