Saskatchewan RCMP have confirmed Emma O’Keeffe, 6, has been found safe.
She was found in North Battleford around 6:45 a.m. on Monday after being missing for just short of 14 hours.
The Amber Alert issued last night has been cancelled. The subject of the alert was located safe within the City of North Battleford. The child was found at approximately 6:45 a.m. and is being provided with medical attention at this time. ^km
— RCMP Saskatchewan (@RCMPSK) September 17, 2018
Cpl. Rob King said workers in a remote, industrial area contacted the North Battleford detachment. They found the vehicle matching the description in the Amber Alert parked off of a paved road in some bushes. O’Keeffe was conscious inside.
EMS took the girl to the hospital–she has since been released and reunited with her family.
King said no suspects are in their custody as the investigation is ongoing.
Original Story: Amber Alert issued after car stolen with six-year-old inside
An Amber Alert was activated at 7:20 p.m. Sunday after a family vehicle was stolen near a strip mall in North Battleford. Six-year-old Emma O’Keeffe was in her car seat in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle when it was stolen. She is autistic and does not speak and also suffers from epilepsy. She would not be able to exit a vehicle on her own.
O’Keeffe requires medication every 12 hours. She requires the medication to be taken in a strict time frame. Missing a dose could lead to extreme medical distress.
The vehicle is a dark grey 2010 Mercedes GL350 SUV with Saskatchewan license plate 897 HMX. It was taken from the strip mall on the southwest side of North Battleford alongside Hwy 16. The highway runs north across the North Saskatchewan River and then west to Alberta in one direction, and south to Saskatoon in the other. The vehicle had about a half of a tank of gas when it was stolen. Officers don’t know which way the vehicle headed after it was taken.
The car had been left unlocked and running when it was taken. A parent had run inside to a business when it was stolen. Police do not believe the vehicle is equipped with a GPS device.
The case is not a parental abduction, but a theft of a vehicle with a child inside.
Emma is described as 3-foot-6 and 44 pounds. Her hair is brown, cut in a bob style to her jawline. She was last seen wearing a navy blue long sleeve shirt, black jeans and pink socks. She did not have any shoes on.
When the call came in, all resources at the North Battleford RCMP detachment were deployed. Major Crimes and the North Battleford General Investigative Service are also working on this case.
Officers and the victim services unit are with the family.
The RCMP has expanded the Amber Alert to Manitoba and Alberta, as it is not known where the vehicle headed.
“I think any six-year-old taken against her will is definitely at risk,” said Cpl. Rob King during a 9 p.m. news conference.
“Given her medical conditions, (she is at) a higher risk.”
Members of the public are asked to be on the lookout for a vehicle matching the description of the stolen car. If you have information, contact your nearest detachment or call 911.
Gas stations across western Canada are asked to be on the lookout for the stolen SUV.
King implored the car thief to ensure Emma is returned home safely.
“Bring her back. Bring her to the nearest detachment, contact 911 yourself, do whatever you can to bring her back.”
