Habitual Molester in Canada

(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) In March 2008, a 44-year-old convicted child molester, Danial Todd Gratton, was released from a sex offender residential treatment program after completing a six-year sentence for molesting six children, one of which he assaulted 70 times.

Earlier this month, Gratton appeared in court to face new charges.

Gratton, 44, faces charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, abduction, kidnapping, and uttering death threats after a 10-year-old girl was abducted on Oct. 3.

He also has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, abduction, kidnapping, and administering a noxious substance in connection with the abduction of a seven-year-old girl from a playground two days later, on Oct. 5.

A court-provided lawyer asked for a continuance since Gratton did not have a lawyer. It was granted and scheduled reportedly for yesterday. There's no news on the outcome yet.

This case raises some issues worth pursuing:

Gratton had been released from his six-year incarceration and the public was not alerted that a long-term sex offender was in the community.

When released, Gratton was under a 10-year supervision order which requires local police to conduct a high-risk assessment which leads to notification of neighbors. It wasn't performed and police say that corrections officials failed to forward the proper paperwork.

The Correctional Service of Canada is investigating.

Regarding Gratton's sentence of only six years for multiple child sex assaults, it's laughable. As a convicted predatory child sex pervert, I contend that Gratton's four years in prison and two years in a treatment program were not sufficient to pay for his crimes and protect the public. Gratton should have been locked up much longer. Forever would be my recommendation. He's a demonstrated menace to society.

Another issue arising from Gratton's court appearance is that he arrived with noticeable injuries -- a black eye and a bruised temple. According to Alberta Solicitor General spokesman Andy Weiler, Gratton needed to be "restrained" by Edmonton Remand Center guards after he became "aggressive." Gratton claims he was assaulted. My guess would be that Gratton experienced considerable restraining, possibly several sessions by several guards. I would even suggest that more restraining is in his future.

A father in Canada sent me this story, expressing outrage at the namby-pamby sentences meted out to sex offenders in Canada. Fearing for his children, Eric Milner wants to immigrate to the U.S. where he believes perverts are treated more harshly.

One last thing, Gratton is accused of committing back-to-back offenses on October 3rd and 5th. He was released from the treatment facility in March. I find it hard to believe that Gratton molested no children between March and October. The man has demonstrated that he can't control his urges. He needs to be restrained.