Dr. Alberta de Villiers currently holds the title of Chief Medical Officer of Health for Interior Health in B.C. (Photo: CFJC Today Kamloops / Global BC)

By Shaun Penner

fOLLOWING Investigation

UPDATE: Former AHS North Zone top doctor accused of sexual offences against young child

Jun 8, 2021 | 9:24 PM

The former lead medical officer for the Alberta Health Services’ North Zone has been charged by Grande Prairie RCMP for sexual offences against a young child that allegedly took place between 2018 and 2020.

RCMP say Dr. Albert de Villiers, who serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Interior Health in B.C., is charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference following an investigation by the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment.

De Villiers was arrested on Tuesday, June 8 in Kelowna, B.C.

Grande Prairie RCMP says the charges come after allegations of the sexual assaults against the young child were reported to them on May 28 of this year.

The Grande Prairie RCMP Special Investigative Unit initiated the investigation into the allegations, with assistance from the Grande Prairie Caribou Child and Youth Centre.

RCMP say de Villiers remains in custody awaiting a judicial hearing.

He served as Medical Officer for the AHS North Zone from 2004 to July of 2020 and was based in Grande Prairie, prior to becoming Chief Medical Officer for Interior Health in August of 2020.