SickKids employee charged in child luring investigation, second in a month
Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz, 55, faces multiple charges including luring a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material.
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Another employee at the Hospital for Sick Children has been charged in connection with an Internet Child Exploitation Unit investigation into the alleged online luring of a minor.
Toronto police began investigating the case in October 2024 after it was reported that someone had communicated with a 15-year-old through social media and phone chat applications, making inappropriate comments and sending explicit images.
Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz, 55, of Toronto was arrested on July 29 following a warrant executed in the area of Don Mills Road and Highway 401, where police seized multiple electronic devices and written documentation. He faces charges of luring a person under 18 years through telecommunications, making available sexually explicit material to a minor, exposing genitals to a person under 16, accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
SickKids confirmed Dela Cruz worked with the housekeeping team and was immediately placed on leave after the hospital became aware of the charges. He has since resigned from his position.
Dela Cruz is the second SickKids employee charged within a month. On July 21, physician Dr. Dilan Dissanayake was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and accessing such material.
In a statement, SickKids said: "We acknowledge this news is deeply disturbing, particularly given the recent criminal charges involving a SickKids physician. To our knowledge, the two employees did not know or work with one another." The hospital also confirmed that Toronto police have indicated no evidence linking either employee's charges to their work at the hospital.
None of the allegations have been proven in court. Dela Cruz appeared in court on July 29.
The facts
Who is Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz?
Antonio Alvin Dela Cruz is a 55-year-old Toronto resident who worked with the housekeeping team at the Hospital for Sick Children. He was arrested on July 29, 2026, and has since resigned from his position.
What charges does Dela Cruz face?
Dela Cruz faces five charges: luring a person under 18 through telecommunications, making available sexually explicit material to a minor, exposing genitals to a person under 16, accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
When did Toronto police begin investigating this case?
Toronto police began investigating in October 2024 after someone allegedly communicated with a 15-year-old through social media and phone chat applications, making inappropriate comments and sending explicit images.
Is this the first SickKids employee charged recently?
No. On July 21, 2026, physician Dr. Dilan Dissanayake was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material and accessing such material, making Dela Cruz the second SickKids employee charged within a month.
