RCMP arrest suspect in relation to Amber Alert, child still missing

Alberta RCMP have issued an update to the ongoing Amber Alert in effect for Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan after two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was abducted from her home early Monday morning.

Police have now arrested a suspect in relation to the abduction, however the young child still remains missing almost 36 hours after being taken.

On Monday afternoon, police in Blairmore, Alberta instituted an Amber Alert across Canada’s western provinces, stating Dunbar-Blanchette’s alleged abductor was driving a white van with a flag attached to its antenna. Later that day, RCMP reported the child’s father, Terry Blanchette, was found stabbed-to-death in the home he shared with his daughter.

The 22-year-old suspect was arrested in relation to Mr. Blanchette’s homicide and is also currently being questioned over the missing child.

Police have also located a white van that matches the released description and are working to investigate whether it was used in the abduction, but they say it is too soon to tell.

Please contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP 403-562-2866 if you have any information or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers with information at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).