Two children who were the subject of an Amber Alert after being reported missing from Fort St. John have been found safe in West Kelowna.
The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit said the six-year-old and four-year-old were located safely Thursday, Sept. 17, following an investigation that began in early July.
The six-year-old child was last seen in Fort St. John on July 9 at about 9:30 a.m., prompting an alert and a search that stretched across multiple jurisdictions.
Police had previously said the children could be travelling with Krista Morrison and Daniel Ludwig.
The RCMP said Morrison and Ludwig were also located and arrested in West Kelowna on outstanding warrants.
Both have been charged with contravening a custody order and are scheduled for bail hearings in B.C.
Investigators are seeking their detention so they can be returned to Alberta to appear before a justice there.
The RCMP said the investigation involved approximately 70 investigators at various points, along with civilian support staff and specialized units across Alberta, B.C., the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team in B.C., RCMP Federal Policing and Air Services, as well as officers from the West Kelowna and Kelowna detachments, also assisted.
Inspector Breanne Brown, acting officer in charge of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch, said the investigation showed the importance of cooperation between police units and jurisdictions.
“This investigation demonstrates the dedication and persistence of investigators and the value of collaboration across multiple RCMP units and jurisdictions,” said Inspector Breanne Brown, Acting Officer In Charge of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch.
“Through strong partnerships and a coordinated effort between Alberta and British Columbia personnel, we were able to safely locate these children and bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. This highlights the value of a national police service. Provincial and territorial boundaries do not limit our ability to coordinate seamless investigative efforts or mobilize specialized resources where they are needed. Behind every RCMP officer is a broader network of specialized expertise, investigative support, and resources that can be drawn upon as an investigation evolves.”
The RCMP said the safety and well-being of the children remained the primary focus throughout the investigation.
Police are also thanking the public and media partners who shared information and remained vigilant during the search.
The children were found about two and a half months after the investigation began.
