In a disturbing twist of events, a woman from Moncton, New Brunswick, has been charged with multiple offenses related to human trafficking in Ottawa, according to the local police.

The investigation commenced back in March, centered around one female victim, with the alarming allegations dating from September 2019 to February 2024. Cynthia Caissie, 36, has been charged with an extensive list of crimes. These include trafficking in persons, benefiting materially from trafficking, profiting from sexual services, advertising another person’s sexual services, as well as several counts of assault and weapon possession.

Caissie made her initial court appearance on Wednesday, where she was remanded into custody. As the investigation unfolds, authorities believe there may be additional victims connected to this case. The Ottawa Police urged anyone with information to come forward. In a bid to aid potential victims who may not be aware of their abuser’s legal name, police have released a photograph of Caissie, who allegedly went by the alias “Bailey.”

In light of this harrowing case, the Ottawa Police Service Human Trafficking Unit is actively encouraging anyone with related information to contact them at 613-236-1222 ext. 5625 or via email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.

In an effort to support potential survivors, police provided resources, emphasizing their commitment to respecting victims' choices regarding criminal charges. The unit indicated that reporting such incidents is crucial for law enforcement to identify suspects and track crime patterns effectively.

This alarming incident has shed light on the often-hidden issue of human trafficking in Canada. With calls for greater awareness and resources to combat this crime, many are left wondering how many more victims remain unseen. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as authorities continue their investigation into the dark underbelly of human trafficking in the nation’s capital.