Sex offender Daniel Senecal pleads guilty to sexual assault of Welland toddler

Repeat sex offender Daniel Senecal pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection with the violent sexual and physical assault of a toddler in Welland last August.

The 26-year-old admitted to the charges of break and enter, aggravated sexual assault on a person under 16, sexual interference, assault by choking, possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and breach of probation.

A sentencing date for Senecal will be determined following a Gardiner Hearing, which is scheduled to begin July 21 in St. Catharines.

WATCH MORE: Protestors in St. Catharines demand new laws to protect children

Niagara police say Senecal broke into the family home of a three-year-old girl during the night of Aug. 30, 2025. She suffered serious injuries in the sexual attack and required hospitalization.

Senecal was convicted two years ago 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 when the horrific attack on the Welland girl took place.

Community members launched a petition after the news broke, demanding more from the criminal justice system.

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

Since then, Ottawa has moved forward with federal bail reform.