A 25-year-old man who police allege forced his way into a home during the night in Welland, Ont., and violently sexually assaulted a young child inside has been arrested and charged. Police described it as a stranger attack.

Police and paramedics were called to a home in a residential neighbourhood at 8:59 a.m. for an injured child under the age of five, according to Niagara Regional Police. When a police patrol car arrived, the officers saw the door to the home looked like it had been forced open.

Inside they saw a child “suffering from serious injuries” and immediately launched a criminal investigation, while paramedics called for emergency transportation to an out-of-region specialist hospital for advanced medical care, police said.

“After speaking with the child’s parents, it became apparent an unknown person defeated the lock on the front door and entered the residence sometime between Sat. Aug. 30, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. and prior to the incident being reported on Sun. Aug. 31, 2025, at 8:59am. While inside the residence, unbeknownst to the parents, their child was sexually assaulted,” police said in a news release.

The child remains in hospital at this time and is listed in stable condition.

The accused is identified by police as Daniel Senecal, 25, of Welland. He is charged with aggravated sexual assault on a child; assault; assault by chocking; breaking and entering a home; sexual interference with a child.

Police went door to door in the neighbourhood, near Crowland Avenue and York Street, and a witness indicated they may have video surveillance of the area. Police reviewed surveillance video and a suspect was identified, police said. Uniform patrol officers, in consultation with detectives assigned to the Child Abuse Unit, arrested Senecal, police said.

He remained in custody and was scheduled for a court appearance Monday in Welland.

“Detectives assigned to the Child Abuse Unit have assumed carriage of the investigation. They are being supported by detectives assigned to the Sexual Assault Unit and Forensic Services Unit,” police said.

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