Body of missing toddler found in Canada

Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette is the subject of an amber alert in western Canada after she went missing from her home in Blairmore, Alberta at about 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning.

The body was located Tuesday afternoon during a police search based on information received in the effort to locate her.

Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette’s grieving mother says she was once “close friends” with the man accused of killing the girl and her father, but the two fell out of touch.

He said nothing much else could be said about the investigation at this point, “other than to thank the public and the media for helping us find Hailey”.

The male suspect, a 22-year-old resident of Blairmore, was arrested in that town earlier Tuesday, and police are not releasing his name as the investigation is still ongoing.

After the various appearances for those offences wrapped up, Blanchette’s Facebook posts switched from talking about his court dates to pictures of him together with his baby daughter.

A woman wipes back tears at the candlelight vigil for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette in Blaimore, Alta.

That led to a region wide AMBER Alert, which extended into Montana, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

Hailey’s mother said she will miss everything about her little girl.

“She’s a super easy going little girl”, said Jenelle Friesen, who used to work with Blanchette at the Pure Country Bar and Grill.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately, or the RCMP Strategic Command Center at 780-412-5260. She adds she originally learned of the Amber Alert on social media.

Blanchette was a former cook 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.

Blair Painter, mayor of Crowsnest Pass, said everyone in the area is feeling pain.

“Put pressure on the abductor to not harm the child by applying presence, give them the idea that they’re being watched and surrounded and have restricted travel options”, he said. It was possible that Hailey had “just wandered away”, according to RCMP Supt.

Police say not to approach the suspect.

Dunbar-Blanchette is a caucasian female child, small build, light brown, straight hair with bangs, and brown eyes. The RCMP have said they believe there is no connection between the killings, but investigators are still looking into any possible links.

The RCMP remains on the scene and have called in the Southern Serious Crimes Branch investigators.

The September 14 Amber Alert issued for missing child Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette has been cancelled, at the request of “K” Division RCMP.