Mohammed Shahid, 43, of Toronto, is charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. Toronto Police believe there may be more victims. (Toronto Police Handout)

TORONTO - A sleep technician is accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl while she received overnight treatment at an east-end clinic.

The girl and her mother attended the Victoria Terrace Sleep Clinic on Lawrence Ave., just west of Birchmount Rd., because the girl was having difficulty sleeping, Toronto Police Const. Tony Vella said Friday.

The victim told her mother that when she woke up and began putting her clothes on at about 2 a.m. last Saturday, she was sexually assaulted by a technician who was alone with her in the room, Vella said.

A sign hanging on the door of the fourth-floor clinic advises that patients involved in overnight sleep studies report for their sessions at 8:30 p.m.

Monitoring devices are attached to the patients at the clinic, which specializes in sleep disorders, Vella said.

There were other employees at the clinic at the time, but nobody was in the room for the alleged assault, Vella added.

Mohammed Shahid, 43, was arrested Thursday on charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

According to the U.S.-based Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists, which certifies polysomnographic technologists (also known as sleep technicians), Shahid has been a registered sleep technician since 2008 and is up for recertification in 2013.

It was unclear Friday whether he recertified in 2008 or was certified for the first time. According to Vella, Shahid "has been employed in the field for 14 years," and worked at another clinic before going to Victoria Terrace.

To become a registered technician, Shahid must have had clinical experience, had CPR certification, passed a "rigorous examination," maintained a "high level of competence and expertise in the field" and followed "strict rules of conduct," the BRPT website states.

Included in the code of conduct is that technicians not break any laws. Disciplinary action could include suspending or revoking certification.

"When a sleep study is advised, patients should educate themselves about the process and be proactive in requesting that their polysomnogram be conducted by or under the direction of (a registered sleep technician)," the website says.

A woman at Shahid's clinic Friday refused to say how long he worked there.

Requests for comment from those who run the clinic were not returned.

Investigators think there may be other alleged victims, Vella said.

"He would have had a lot of contact with children, with women in general, so if there are other victims, we want to hear from you," Vella said. "Come forward and don't be afraid."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477, 222tips.com, or by texting TOR and your message to CRIMES.

tamara.cherry@sunmedia.ca