Rinelle Harper was ‘sexually assaulted and thrown into river

Winnipeg police identified the teenaged girl found beaten and sexually assaulted near the Midtown Bridge over the weekend, releasing more information about the case Monday in the hopes anyone who saw her before the attack will come forward.

Police identify the victim as Rinelle Harper, a 16-year-old girl from God’s Lake Narrows currently living in Winnipeg with family while going to school in the city.

Police say Rinelle was out with friends Friday evening in the South Broadway area, but later became separated from the group. She was attacked along the river walk near the Donald Street bridge and later discovered by a passerby.

The attack was “sexual in nature,” police say. It’s not clear how Harper got out of the water and onto the river walk where she was found, suffering from what sources tell Global News were severe head injuries and hypothermia. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition but police said Monday she is expected to recover.

It is very unusual for police release the identity of the victim of a sexual assault, or an underage victim of any kind of crime. But police say they received her parents’ permission, and they took the step in hopes of motivating the public to assist in solving the crime.

“Rinelle is a person, she’s a person that lives in this community, she’s a person that has a family,” Supt. Danny Smythe told reporters Monday. “We’re hopeful this will resonate and the community will come forward and help us.”

Police are asking anyone who knows anyone who was in contact with Harper to call them at 204-986-6508 or CrimeStoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Agencies/Canadajournal