Toronto men arrested in 1983 sexual assaults of 12-year-old; police say there may be more victims

Two Toronto men were charged last December for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old child over 40 years ago, and police say there may be more victims.

Edward Palacios, 64, was charged with three counts of sexual assault, two counts of gross indecency, assault, buggery and assault with a weapon, Toronto police said in a news release on Wednesday.

Sean Hancock, 59, was charged with sexual assault, gross indecency, assault and buggery, police said.

Palacios, left, is seen in a photograph from the 1980s. Sean Hancock, right, is seen in photograph from the 1990s. Investigators believe there may be more victims. (Toronto Police Service)

In the summer of 1983, the boy was befriended and sexually assaulted by one of the accused men on multiple occasions, police said. On another occasion, police said the boy was sexually assaulted by both accused men.

Palacios and Hancock both volunteered in programs within the Leaside community of Toronto, where they had access to children, the news release said.

Palacios has also been charged with possession of and access to child pornography. He is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice on June 11.

Hancock is scheduled to appear in court at the Ontario Court of Justice on May 7.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.