A housekeeping employee at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has resigned after being arrested and charged in connection with an alleged online child luring investigation, the hospital has confirmed.
Toronto Police arrested Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz, 55, of Toronto, following an investigation by the Internet Child Exploitation Unit. Investigators allege that Dela Cruz communicated with a 15-year-old through social media and messaging applications, made inappropriate comments, and sent explicit images. During the investigation, police executed a search warrant in the Don Mills Road and Highway 401 area, where electronic devices and written materials were seized.
Dela Cruz faces multiple criminal charges, including luring a person under 18 using telecommunications, making sexually explicit material available to a person under or believed to be under 18, exposing genitals to a person under 16, accessing child sexual abuse material, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The allegations have not been proven in court.
In a statement, SickKids said Dela Cruz was immediately placed on leave after the hospital became aware of the criminal charges and has since resigned from his position. Hospital officials emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting the alleged offences were connected to his employment or that any patients at SickKids were involved.
The arrest comes only weeks after another SickKids employee, physician Dr. Dilan Dissanayake, was charged in an unrelated investigation involving alleged child sexual abuse material. According to both Toronto Police and the hospital, there is no evidence linking the two cases, and the individuals did not work together.
Dr. Ronald Cohn, President and Chief Executive Officer of SickKids, described the allegations as deeply disturbing and completely inconsistent with the hospital’s values. He said the conduct alleged in the charges represents a serious breach of the trust placed in everyone who works at the hospital and reaffirmed that the safety and well-being of patients, families and staff remain the organization’s highest priority.
In response to the recent incidents, SickKids has engaged independent experts to review its internal policies, safeguards and procedures related to preventing child harm. The hospital also plans to strengthen staff awareness and education by working with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to enhance training and prevention initiatives.
Toronto Police are also reminding parents and caregivers to remain vigilant about their children’s online activities. Investigators encourage families to monitor social media use, discuss online safety with children, and report any suspicious or inappropriate online interactions to police.
The investigation remains ongoing.