The two-year-old girl who was the subject of an Amber Alert in Alberta has been found dead, the RCMP confirmed just after midnight.
Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was abducted early Monday morning from the town of Blairmore by someone driving a speeding white van.
Her father, Terry Blanchette, 27, was found dead in their home and police believe his death was a homicide.
Mounties have a 22-year-old suspect in custody. Supt. Tony Hamori said the name of the man, a resident of Blairmore who was arrested there on Tuesday, wouldn’t be released until charges had been laid.
Blanchette was described by friends and family as a devoted single father who shared custody of Hailey with his former girlfriend, Cheyenne Dunbar, who lives in Edmonton.
He worked as a cook in a restaurant and had many criminal convictions between 2010 and 2012 for issues such as failing to appear in court, failing to stop his vehicle, evading police, minor theft and assault.
But after Hailey was born, there were no more court appearances. Blanchette’s Facebook posts switched from talk of court dates to pictures of him with his baby daughter.
Neighbour Angela Mathieson said Blanchette loved being a father.
“He was taking good care of her. There was always laughing and giggling going on over there.”
Hamori said Dunbar was co-operating with investigators.
“Police have been speaking with her and obviously, at this point in time, followup investigation is going to be done on all information we receive.”
Blairmore is 220 km southwest of Calgary near the boundary between Alberta and British Columbia.
