RCMP say there was no “undue delay” in issuing Amber Alert
Posted September 16, 2015 11:23 am.
Last Updated September 16, 2015 11:42 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BLAIRMORE, Alta. (NEWS 1130) – The Mounties have been quick to defend the Amber Alert system, which rolled out notifications that two year old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was missing across three provinces and one US state.
Superintendent Tony Hamori says they have heard the criticism and questions from people who believe the alert didn’t go out quickly enough.
“The RCMP is aware of the public conversation about the Amber Alert program related to this case. Amber Alert works and was critical to resolving this situation in Blairmore,” he told reporters gathered at a news conference in the small Alberta community.
Hamori called the system a vital tool when it is established that a missing child could be at risk.
“In this case, it only took us three hours to establish that this might be the case with Hailey. In that three hours, significant steps were underway to find Hailey and rule out other scenarios.”
An Amber Alert was then issued in Alberta and it was another two hours before it was expanded to cover BC, Saskatchewan and Montana.
Hamori says the criteria for an alert are based upon sound investigative principles.
“There was no undue delay in notifying the public, whose trust in the Amber Alert system is critical to effectiveness in helping us find missing children.”
A look at events in the investigation into the case of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, who was taken from her home this week:
Monday, Sept. 14, 3:30 a.m. — The time police say they believe Hailey was abducted from her home in Blairmore, Alta. A white van with an large antenna and a flag flying from it is seen speeding west from the area.
11:12 a.m. — Crowsnest Pass RCMP receive a call reporting a sudden death at a Blairmore home. They find the body of Hailey’s father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, but no sign of his daughter. Police canvass the neighbourhood looking for her. Information from neighbours suggest the child was taken at 3:30 a.m.
2:14 p.m. — An Amber Alert is issued for Alberta. The RCMP say they are then contacted by the child’s mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, who does not have the child.
3:15 p.m. — The Amber Alert is extended to British Columbia, Montana, and Saskatchewan.
5:30 p.m. — Police hold a news conference and confirm that Blanchette has been killed and that his death is believe to be a homicide.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 — A 22-year-old suspect in both the murder and the abduction is arrested. Police won’t release his name because no charges have been laid.
1 p.m. — Police announce the arrest at a news conference, but say they still have not found Hailey. They say they have found a van that could be connected to the case. The Amber Alert remains in effect.
Tuesday night — RCMP inform crowd gathered for candlelight vigil in Blairmore, Alta., that investigators have discovered human remains. Amber Alert for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette is cancelled.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 10:00 a.m. — RCMP charge Derek James Saretzky, 22, with first-degree murder in the homicides of Terry Blanchette and Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette. Saretzky, who is from Blairmore, also faces one count of indignity to a human body in relation to Hailey’s death.
