False confession leads B.C. Mounties to new sexual-assault suspect

SURREY, B.C. – Charges have been dropped against a man who police say falsely confessed to the sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl from Surrey, B.C., while new charges have now been laid against another suspect.

RCMP Supt. Trent Rolfe says Donovan Adams was arrested Sept. 2, partly because of comments he made implicating himself in the sexual assault of the girl less than a week earlier.

Rolfe says police analyzed his statements, uncovered more forensic evidence, and concluded that Adams confessed to a crime he did not commit, so charges were stayed and he was released from custody.

RCMP Cpl. Bert Paquet says Adams faces some mental-health issues.

Twenty-eight-year-old Cory Schaumleffel (SHOAM’-ul-eff-ul) of Chilliwack, B.C., was subsequently arrested on Oct. 13. and held based on forensic evidence.

Police say Schaumleffel faces charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual interference and break and enter and he remains in custody.