Two people facing sex charges involving a minor who went missing and were later found by the RCMP will stand trial in April.

On Oct. 12 in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court, Daryl Lawrence Digout and Shelley Dawn Digout pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to appear in court and being at large on a confirmed undertaking, sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual exploitation, according to the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The Digouts are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 11, 2024, for a pre-trial conference, then again on April 25-26, 2024 for trial, both in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court, the PPS confirmed.

On May 26, Richmond County District RCMP received a report of possible sexual exploitation involving Daryl and Shelley Digout.

Upon investigating, the RCMP determined that in 2020, a young person was sexually assaulted by the Digouts.

On May 29, RCMP officers arrested the couple at a home in Barra Head. They were jointly charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual exploitation.

Richmond County District RCMP said at the time there may be additional victims connected to the Digouts and are encouraging others to come forward.

Richmond County District RCMP said in a press release issued just before midnight on June 9 that they were notified at 6:45 p.m. that day that the Digouts were missing.

Cpl. Chris Marshall, the RCMP’s Provincial Public Information Officer, said at the time that police “received a missing person report from a person who knows the Digouts.”

On July 27 at around 5 p.m., the RCMP confirmed that they located the Digouts in Lynch’s River, Richmond County after a member of the public called in a sighting.

Marshall said they were arrested for failing to appear for their fingerprints, as required as part of their release from when they were arrested in May.

On Aug. 28 in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court, Daryl and Shelley Digout were arraigned on charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual exploitation, according to the PPS.

Despite going missing after being charged, the Digouts were released from custody.

Daryl Digout was released on $1,000 bail with conditions that he keep the peace and practice good behaviour; not leave Nova Scotia; advise the St. Peter’s RCMP detachment of any change of address; not contact, or attempt to contact the alleged victim; not go to or enter the residence of the alleged victim; not watch or follow the alleged victim; not to possess any legal or illegal weapons; and have no contact with anyone under the age of 16.

Shelley Digout was also released on $1,000 bail with the same conditions.