Update: 1:08 p.m. Sunday, July 30
A mother and her suspected boyfriend have been charged in the alleged abduction of her two children after the group were found on a rural property outside of Edson, Alta.
The Alberta RCMP Emergency Response Team were called in on Saturday, July 29, after investigators identified the property as the likely location of the group. The team entered the property, located those involved, arrested the mother and boyfriend, and secured the others.
"The children were taken to their father who was waiting with investigators at a nearby detachment in Alberta," states the Surrey RCMP in a press release.
On Sunday morning, the mother was formally charged with two counts of abduction in contravention of a custody order. The boyfriend was charged with two counts of abduction of a person under the age of 14. Both remain in police custody at this time.
Surrey RCMP say 435 tips were sent or called in from across Canada during the 11-day Amber Alert.
"We sincerely appreciate the assistance from the public, media, and other policing and community partners, who all played an important role in this investigation," state police.
They note few details are being released at this time as the case is now before the courts, but they add they're thankful for how it turned out.
"This is the outcome we have all been hoping for, and it is the direct result of the hard work and perseverance of the investigative team," says the RCMP.
Original: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Two children who were allegedly abducted by their mother have been found safe.
Surrey RCMP say the kids were located on Saturday night at 7:20 p.m and are safe.
Cpl. Vanessa Munn says police recognize that many people have been following this investigation closely since the Amber Alert was issued.
“We sincerely appreciate the assistance from the public, media, community and policing partners, who all played an important role in helping to safely locate the children," says Munn.
The Amber Alert was issued for the two children on July 19 after they were not returned to their father in Surrey.
The children were on a planned camping vacation near Kelowna with their mother. When they did not return home to their father on July 17 they were reported missing the next day.
Police have not released any details about where the children were located.
Munn says more information will be provided to media on Sunday.
