Charges have been withdrawn for one of four people accused in an alleged local child abuse investigation.
Nicole Kathleen Barrett, 46, a resident of Whitecourt, had her charges withdrawn on Oct. 31, 2025.
According to the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service (ACPS), after thoroughly assessing all the available admissible evidence, the Crown prosecutor determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction. As such, the charges were withdrawn.
Barrett’s matter had previously been scheduled for jury selection in Edmonton on Feb. 5, 2026.
Meantime, co-accused Jimmy Allen Fransen, 52, and Brenda Disher (aka Fransen), 47, both of Fort McMurray, are scheduled for jury trial in Fort McMurray Court of King’s Bench from Feb. 2-10, 2026.
The fourth co-accused, Sherina Maria Handsor, 45, of Sandy Beach, faces a total of 18 counts, and is scheduled for a jury trial in Edmonton Court of King’s Bench from June 15-26, 2026.
After a lengthy RCMP Serious Crimes Branch investigation into allegations of historical physical and sexual child abuse in Edson, Mounties charged two individuals with a series of offences related to crimes allegedly committed between 2005 and 2011.
On March 21, 2024, Jimmy Allen Fransen was arrested and charged with:
- Sexual assault;
- Sexual assault with a weapon;
- Sexual interference with a child under the age of 16;
- Sexual exploitation;
- Making and possession of child pornography; and
- Failure to provide the necessaries of life.
Mounties say Fransen was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on bail, including conditions that restrict contact with children.
Additionally, on April 8, 2024, RCMP arrested Sherina Maria Handsor, who was originally charged with:
- Assault causing bodily harm;
- Assault with a weapon, forcible confinement; and
- Failure to provide the necessaries of life.
Following the initial arrest of Jimmy Fransen, the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch says it received information on unrelated allegations of child sexual abuse arising out of Fort McMurray, between 2017 and 2023.
As a result of that investigation, on April 6, 2024, Jimmy Allen Fransen and Brenda Disher, also known as Brenda Fransen, were charged with:
- Making, distribution and possession of child pornography;
- Sexual assault;
- Sexual interference involving a child;
- Sexual exploitation; and
- Trafficking a person under the age of 18.
Police say both were taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on bail, including conditions restricting contact with children.
Meantime, following the initial arrest of Sherina Handsor, officers with the RCMP Serious Crimes Branch arrested Nicole Kathleen Barrett on April 24, 2024, in connection to the same investigation involving Handsor. Police say Barrett was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released on bail, including conditions that restricted contact with the alleged victims.
Barrett was initially charged with one count of assault, and three counts of failure to provide necessities of life.
Mounties say five new victims later came forward to the RCMP reporting historical child abuse offences while in Handsor’s care in Whitecourt and Quesnel, BC.. RCMP say they also identified two additional victims, totaling seven new victims of child abuse.
As a result, on Wednesday, April 29, 2024, RCMP charged Sherina Handsor with 13 additional charges related to historical child abuse including;
- Failure to Provide Necessities of life (x7);
- Assault with a weapon;
- Assault causing bodily harm;
- Assault (x3);
- Administrating noxious substance (x2).
Handsor was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody.
Mounties say information received during the course of their investigation suggests there may be other victims or individuals who may have information regarding the involvement of Sherina Maria Handsor in offences against children.
RCMP are asking anyone with information about this crime or those responsible to call the Serious Crimes Branch at 780-509-3290.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1‐800‐222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.ca for instructions).
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