Thunder Bay police have provided additional information regarding the successful search for an abducted eight-year-old child, which concluded with the child’s safe recovery on Tuesday night. The extensive search efforts, including the activation of an Amber Alert, led to crucial information and the child’s ultimate rescue.
The child was located safely by the police at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Det.-Insp. Jeremy Pearson of the Thunder Bay Police Service acknowledged the effectiveness of the rarely utilized (in Thunder Bay) Amber Alert system in generating valuable tips from the public.
Pearson expressed gratitude for the community’s engagement and emphasized that public awareness played a significant role in the successful outcome. He stated, “It was information received from a member of the public that led us to the location where we were able to safely locate the child.”
Fortunately, the child was unharmed when found, and the arrest of the child’s father was described as uneventful.
During the search, authorities thoroughly investigated various locations on the city’s north side, establishing a command post for the search team near the intersection of John Street Road and Valley Street. The Thunder Bay Police Service received substantial support from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who provided their emergency response team, canine team, and aviation services.
Ultimately, the child and the father were discovered outdoors in close proximity to the command post. Contrary to initial beliefs that the father might be heading towards Saskatchewan, police now believe that a vehicle was not involved in the incident.
The father has been charged with abduction, forcible confinement, and breach of release order. He has been remanded into custody and was expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
The search commenced after a welfare check was initiated by the police in response to a call for assistance received around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. Subsequent investigation revealed that an abduction had indeed occurred, but it took time for the police to establish the necessary information to meet the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert.
Pearson reassured the public that there is an extensive amount of police work that takes place between a call for service and the issuance of an Amber Alert. He emphasized that the Amber Alert system is supported by meticulous police efforts.
The successful resolution of the search brought immense relief to the numerous officers from the Thunder Bay Police Service and OPP who participated in the operation. Pearson remarked, “The sheer number of resources that were allocated towards this search, and the sheer amount of humanity working on this and deeply invested in this — I believe you don’t truly realize what a relief it will be to resolve this safely until it occurs.”
He further expressed that the safe recovery of the child strikes a chord with everyone involved and highlights the collective commitment to protecting and ensuring the well-being of children.
