Calgary police have laid charges against a 63-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl at a sewing shop in southeast Calgary.
Police said Zufan Seyoum Gelete worked at Absalat Tailor located at 3509 17 Ave. SE, at the time of the alleged assault.
Investigators say the girl and her mother were shopping in the neighborhood when they encountered Gelete, a family acquaintance.
They had a brief interaction and the man invited the girl to wait with him in the store while her mother ran to a nearby business.
Inside the store, police believe the man forced the girl to sit on his lap while he touched her inappropriately and sexually assaulted her.
Police say the girl left the sewing room, found her mother and told her about the incident.
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The girl’s family then contacted the police and the Child Abuse Unit began an investigation.
Gelete was arrested on Thursday, December 12, 2024 and charged with sexual assault and sexual contact with a person under 16 years of age.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
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