Family of missing Calgary girl Taliyah Leigh Marsman makes tearful plea for 5-year-old's return

For the latest breaking news, see: Calgary family, police 'devastated' as charges laid in deaths of Taliyah Marsman, mother

Family members of a missing Calgary girl whose mother was found slain issued a tearful plea on Tuesday begging whoever abducted the "vivacious, wonderful" five-year-old to let her go home.

Police found Sara Baillie dead and her daughter, Taliyah Leigh Marsman, missing on Monday night after being called to a house in the northwest Calgary neighbourhood of Panorama Hills by family members who were concerned because the woman didn't show up for work and didn't answer calls.

"We love her, we miss her, and we want her back," Scott Hamilton, the woman's uncle, told Taliyah's abductor at a news conference midday Tuesday as other relatives wept beside him. 

"Drop her off at an RCMP station, Calgary Police Service station, or grocery store, gas station, wherever you want. Contact the family, we'll come and pick her up. There will be no questions asked," Hamilton said. 

'Stay strong, honey,' aunt urges missing girl

A provincewide alert was issued overnight for Taliyah, who is described as mixed-race with a slim build, brown curly hair and blue eyes. 

"Taliyah, honey, if you are watching this, we love you. Stay strong, honey," Baillie's aunt, Marilynne Hamilton, said between sobs. 

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Scott Hamilton described Taliyah as a "vivacious, wonderful" girl who had just learned to ride a bike. 

Taliyah seems more like a seven or eight-year-old than five, a family friend said, describing her as "mature" and tall for her age.

Calgary police confirmed earlier in the day that Sara's death at 1111 Panamount Blvd. was being treated as a homicide, although they did not reveal the cause of death.

"Sara was a beautiful young woman who was single-handedly pretty much raising her daughter and we love her and we miss her," Hamilton said of his niece.

Police not convinced Taliyah abducted by stranger

There is a "limited" history of domestic violence between Baillie and her estranged husband, Colin Marsman, 36, "both reported and unreported," according to Insp. Don Coleman of the Calgary Police Service major crimes section 

He said Marsman was co-operating with police.

Asked if he was convinced Taliyah was taken by a stranger, Coleman said: "No, I am not."

Coleman said there was no sign of forced entry, to his knowledge.

However, Coleman also said police are open to any possibility, including that Taliyah might have been dropped off with someone who has yet to realize the girl is the subject of an Amber Alert.

"We're not ruling out anything at this point," he said.

Estranged father was under peace bond

Marsman, who also goes by the surname Paris, has been the subject of conditions ordered in a peace bond since last March, with Baillie named as the complainant. 

He was charged with intimidation and unlawful confinement, but that charge was withdrawn after the peace bond was ordered. 

Coleman said the last time family members other than her mother had contact with Taliyah was about 10:30 a.m. MT on Sunday.

Although the Amber Alert is provincewide, he said there is no suggestion the child has been taken outside Calgary. 

Baillie's vehicle, a white 2016 Ford Fusion, which police initially said may have been connected to Taliyah's disappearance, was found and is being examined by forensic officers.

'I'm really in shock'

Olumuyiwa Dada, who owns the home where Baillie was found dead, says she was a good, quiet tenant.

"I'm really feeling down because I only see things like this on the TV. I'm really in shock," he said.

Neighbour Mike Koloff says Baillie had just recently moved into the basement suite at the house with her daughter.

"I'm shocked. We had cursory information yesterday that she was missing. At first I thought, well it's Stampede week, and you know, everything that goes on in Stampede week," he said.

"But then, waking up this morning and looking at some online news stating that she'd been found dead in the home and the daughter is missing is a complete shock. My wife is completely distraught. She's at work now, but she was in tears, hearing about this."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police or Crime Stoppers.

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