A father has been found dead and his two-year-old daughter has been abducted from a small town near the Alberta-B.C. border.
Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, 2, was taken from a residence in Blairmore, Alta., at around 3:30 a.m. Monday, according to Crowsnest RCMP.
An Amber Alert was issued in Alberta Monday afternoon for Dunbar-Blanchette and later extended to B.C., Saskatchewan, and south of the border in Montana. It remains in effect.
The girl’s father, Terry Blanchette, 27, was found dead at the same residence around 11:15 a.m. after police were alerted to the body by a family member, according to RCMP Supt. Tony Hamori.
Hamori told reporters Monday evening that Blanchette’s death is being treated as a homicide.
“We’re working to confirm whether that location was the residence of the father or not,” he added.
Hamori said an unknown suspect or suspects fled from the scene in a newer white van with a large rear antenna and a flag attached. Hamori did not provide any details about the flag.
Hamoroi said police had spoken to Hailey’s mother “and can certainly confirm that Hailey is not with her.”
Dunbar-Blanchette is described as a white girl with a small build, brown eyes and light brown hair with bangs.
Hamori said potential witnesses should not approach the suspect or suspects, and to instead call 911.
Staff at the local restaurant where Blanchette worked as a cook said they were shocked to learn of his death.
Neighbour Jennifer Irwin said she regularly saw Hailey playing outside her home or at a park.
Irwin said she is terrified, and that she hasn’t let go of her own two-year-old daughter all day.
With files from CTV Calgary
