A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent home invasion and sexual assault of a young child in Welland, Ontario. Police have described the incident as a stranger attack.

Authorities received a call at 8:59 a.m. regarding an injured child under the age of five. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the front door of the home had been forced open. Inside, they discovered a child suffering from serious injuries, prompting an immediate criminal investigation. Paramedics were called to transport the child to a specialist hospital for advanced medical care.

According to police, the incident occurred sometime between 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, and the time it was reported on Sunday, August 31, 2025. After interviewing the child's parents, investigators learned that an unknown individual had defeated the lock on the front door and entered the residence. While inside, the child was sexually assaulted without the parents' knowledge.

The child is currently hospitalized and is reported to be in stable condition. The suspect has been identified as Daniel Senecal, a resident of Welland. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated sexual assault on a child, assault, choking, breaking and entering, and sexual interference with a child.

In the aftermath of the incident, police conducted door-to-door inquiries in the neighborhood near Crowland Avenue and York Street. A witness indicated that there may be video surveillance of the area. Police reviewed the footage and were able to identify a suspect.

Senecal was arrested by uniform patrol officers in collaboration with detectives from the Child Abuse Unit. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday in Welland. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Child Abuse Unit, with support from the Sexual Assault Unit and Forensic Services Unit.