A repeat sex offender has pleaded guilty in connection with the violent sexual and physical assault of a three-year-old girl in Welland last August.

Daniel Senecal, 26, entered the plea Tuesday in a Welland courtroom, CHCH reported. He admitted to break and enter, aggravated sexual assault of a person under 16, sexual interference, assault by choking, possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and breach of probation.

What police say happened

Niagara Regional Police said Senecal broke into the family home of the three-year-old girl during the night of Aug. 30, 2025. The child suffered serious injuries in the sexual assault and required hospitalization.

Senecal is no stranger to the justice system. Two years ago, he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in 2021 and sentenced to 18 months in jail.

He was released early and was on probation at the time of the attack on the Welland girl.

Sentencing to follow July hearing

A sentencing date for Senecal has not yet been set. It will be determined following a Gardiner Hearing — a proceeding used to resolve disputes about the facts underlying the charges — which is scheduled to begin July 21 in St. Catharines.

Community outrage and calls for reform

The case shook the Welland community and prompted an outpouring of anger over how a convicted sex offender came to be released before the toddler was attacked.

After news of the assault broke, community members launched a petition demanding more from the criminal justice system. Protestors also gathered in St. Catharines to call for new laws to protect children.

In an open letter to the community last year, Welland Mayor Frank Campion urged urgent reforms from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The mayor called for stronger bail and sentencing laws with no early release for violent sexual crimes, an end to parole for such offenders, and stricter enforcement of the National Sex Offender Registry.

Since those calls were made, the federal government has moved forward with bail reform.

Senecal's plea of guilty comes nearly ten months after the attack. He remains in custody pending the Gardiner Hearing next month.