Judge to rule on whether weapon used to harm child in Daniel Senecal trial

A registered sex offender who plead guilty to the attack of a toddler in Welland, Ont., last year is waiting for the judge to rule whether a weapon was used to harm the child.

This aggravating factor could impact how long 26-year-old Daniel Senecal remains behind bars.

It is a detail that could make a difference. Even though Senecal has already plead guilty to breaking into the child’s home and sexually assaulting her, the Crown says he used a weapon to seriously injure the three-year-old girl who was sleeping in her bed that night.

The defence says that has not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Crown argued today that testimony from a doctor who treated the child, as well as testimony from Senecal’s own roommate, proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he harmed the toddler with a screwdriver in a vile assault that has rocked the Niagara region.

It happened in the early hours of Aug. 31, 2025. At that time, Senecal was already a registered sex offender, 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 when the horrific attack on the Welland girl took place.

The Crown is contemplating an application that could have him designated a long-term or dangerous offender.

Now it is up to the judge to decide whether the Crown has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that a weapon was used in the attack. The judge will make that ruling on Oct. 16.

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