Purported psychics like John Edward and Rosemary Altea are often labeled as generally harmless.  Sure, their business is founded upon the dispensing of vague, useless images and downright lies, but they only comfort the bereaved and entertain the masses, right?

Well, Colleen LeDuc is likely to disagree.

LeDuc is a single mother struggling to support her 11-year old autistic daughter Victoria.  As if this weren’t already a significant burden for a parent to face, matters were made much worse when the educational assistant at Terry Fox Elementary who works with Victoria went to see a psychic, who purported the typically vague information psychics create, suggesting that Victoria had been sexually abused.

How did they come by such startling knowledge? Leduc was incredulous as they poured out their story.

“The teacher looked and me and said: ‘We have to tell you something. The educational assistant who works with Victoria went to see a psychic last night, and the psychic asked the educational assistant at that particular time if she works with a little girl by the name of “V.” And she said ‘yes, I do.’ And she said, ‘well, you need to know that that child is being sexually abused by a man between the ages of 23 and 26.’”

Victoria, who is non-verbal, had also been exhibiting sexualized behaviour in class, actions which are known to be typical of autistic behavior. That lead authorities to suspect she had a bladder infection that may have somehow been related to the ‘attack.’

Leduc was shaken by the idea. “It’s actually your worst nightmare your child being violated,” she admits. “So for them to even suggest that, and that be my worst nightmare, it was horrific.”

Of course, this never occurred, and LeDuc had proof:  Data gathered by a GPS she had equipped her daughter with proved no such encounter could be possible.  Unfortunately, the damage had been done.  LeDuc underwent trials and accusations no parent should ever have to face, and, convinced that her daughter was no longer safe at her school, has removed her from school and taken care of her at home, meaning she is now unable to work.

And all because of one person who, under the false authority of having mystical powers, accused a nonexistent person of raping a little autistic girl.

Link.