Manitoba

CFS teen was reported missing before attack, police now say

Winnipeg police now say a 15-year-old girl who was seriously assaulted in the city's downtown last week had been reported missing earlier than police earlier claimed.

Police say a CFS worker did report 15-year-old victim missing before she was found

A handbag, wallet and makeup are seen in a cordoned-off area on Hargrave Street where a teenage girl was found critically injured on April 1. (CBC)

Winnipeg police now say a 15-year-old girl who was seriously assaulted in the city's downtown last week had been reported missing earlier than police initially claimed.

The girl was last reported to be in critical condition in hospital as a result of the attack. She was found on Hargrave Street between St. Mary and Graham avenues in the early morning hours of April 1.

When police first announced details of the case — and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy — on April 2, they said the girl was found 11 minutes before she was reported missing by Child and Family Services (CFS) staff.

But on Friday, the police service issued a news release saying investigators have since learned that a CFS worker had reported the girl missing to police before she was found.

Police did not release any further information.

The boy, who was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault, was taken into custody at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

Both the girl and the boy are in care of the province's CFS system and were being housed at the same hotel not far from where the girl was found, police have said.