Madrano pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting an Edmonton girl

Warning: This article contains details that may disturb readers.

An American man pleaded guilty Monday to sexually exploiting an Edmonton girl and smuggling her across the border in 2022.

Noah Madrano pleaded guilty to two of six federal charges in a Portland, Ore., courtroom, according to the victim’s mother: sexual exploitation of a child and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

“It’s definitely a relief for us,” the victim’s father, who could not be identified to protect the victim’s identity, said by phone from Portland.

“It’s been two, two and a half years of us trying to get him to plead guilty, so we’re finally relieved that we don’t have to go to court with our daughter. Because we weren’t looking. Obviously, it would have been very difficult for her to go through the five-day ordeal and go through the whole ordeal again.”

A 13-year-old girl was reported missing in Edmonton in late June 2022, and nine days later she was found in a hotel room in Oregon.

The trial was delayed several times before Madrano signed a plea deal last December.

“I am pleased that Madrano has finally received the proper counsel from the appointed counsel he received last year and is finally taking responsibility for what would appear to be a series of crimes that he subjected our daughter to,” the mother said. “We’re glad she doesn’t have to come forward because that’s what we were worried about.”

She said her daughter was doing “very well, all things considered.”

“She is very resilient. She is very strong and she is continuing her therapy and healing process and she is involved in many extracurricular activities.

“Our family is strong together… We don’t want this situation to define us, and we’re going to move on anyway.”

Sentencing is scheduled for April 8.