Amber Alert issued for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette after father found dead
Search for 2-year-old taking place in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana
- UPDATE: The Amber Alert for the missing Alberta toddler has been cancelled after remains were found. Find the latest information here.
An Amber Alert has been issued by the RCMP in Crowsnest Pass, Alta., in the abduction of a two-year-old girl.
Police say Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was taken from a home in Blairmore about 3:30 a.m. MT on Monday.
Her father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, was found dead at the scene and police say the homicide unit has been called in to investigate.
The alert for Hailey was originally in place just for Alberta, but was expanded to B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana on Monday afternoon.
"This type of incident, combined with the scene at the residence we found, is concerning to the highest degree — both to the RCMP and communities down in the Crowsnest Pass," said Supt. Tony Hamori.
The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass houses residents of Blairmore, Coleman and Bellevue, as well as the historical site at Frank Slide.
Cpl. Sharon Franks says the RCMP did not receive a call until just after 11 a.m., which is why the Amber Alert was not issued until later in the day.
The missing girl has light brown straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes. RCMP say they confirmed the girl was not with her mother, but Supt. Hamori could not shed any more light on the family's background.
Police said they don't know who took her in a vehicle, which fled at high speed heading west.
White van sought
The vehicle is described as a newer model white van with a large rear antenna and a flag attached.
"We are making an appeal to the public through the media and Amber Alert in respect to this white van," said Hamori.
The B.C. Amber Alert says RCMP are seeking a male driver, but Hamori says they are not sure how many suspects they are looking for. He says they have made inquiries at the border with the U.S. to see if a vehicle matching the description in the case has passed through.
Police are asking people not to approach the vehicle and to call Blairmore RCMP at 403-562-2866 or Crime Stoppers with any information.
Hamori says the RCMP have used several resources in the search for the girl, including a helicopter. A special tactical operations unit has also been called in to patrol the crime scene.
Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter said news of the abduction is reverberating through his community.
"Most people know each other. News travels very quickly and especially traumatic news travels quickly," he said. "Our community will be willing to support this family in anyway possible."
B.C. Amber Alert: read the full document here