By Mallory Clarkson/London Community News/Twitter: @MalloryClarkson Gregory Thomas Simard has retained a lawyer — Gord Cudmore — and will appear in court Wednesday (Sept. 19) for an unspecified application. This information was presented during a hearing Tuesday (Sept. 18). Simard, a 24-year-old Child and Parenting Resource Institute (CPRI) employee, is facing attempted murder, forcible confinement, uttering threats and assaulting police charges after allegedly assaulting a 12-year boy, who is still in the hospital with critical injuries. None of these charges have been proven in a court of law. Simard initially refused defence counsel during his first court appearance Tuesday (Sept. 11), after being arrested the day before for an alleged assault that took place just before midnight on Sunday (Sept. 9). Police say they were called to CPRI after receiving a 911 call about the attack and found the victim, who was known to the suspect, in a wooded area near the facility suffering from severe trauma. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services said while they won’t make comment on the investigation or disclose personal information about Simard, all employees of CPRI go through criminal record checks as part of the hiring process. A spokesperson with the ministry added any record of an offence related to the requirements of the job would be considered in the hiring process. See also: Indecent act charge laid against Gregory Simard More abuse allegations targeting Child Parent Resource Institute arising Lawsuit launched against Child Parent Resource Institute over ‘campaign of sexual assault’ Find us on Facebook: London Community News