2 missing Alberta children found safe in rural B.C.: Alberta RCMP

2 missing Alberta children found safe in rural B.C.: Alberta RCMP

Two adults charged with contravening custody order

Two missing Alberta children were found safe and in “good health” on Thursday on a rural property in West Kelowna, B.C., Alberta RCMP say.

In a news conference Friday afternoon, Alberta RCMP said Krista Morrison and Daniel Ludwig were located and arrested on outstanding warrants. Both have been charged with contravening a custody order for one of the children. Both are being held in custody in British Columbia.

Their bail hearings will take place in B.C., where investigators will seek their detention and return to Alberta to appear before the courts, RCMP said Friday.

The investigation began in early July, involving extensive searches of rural properties across multiple jurisdictions, with RCMP specialized units in Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Yukon involved.

“After approximately two and a half months of sustained investigative efforts, we are grateful to report that both children have been found safe,” said Insp. Breanne Brown of the Alberta RCMP Serious Crimes Branch.

Staff Sgt. Derrick Gladdish, who was the team commander for the investigation, said investigators were told the children appeared to be in good health.

“My investigators did send me a picture, and they seemed to be happy, young children,” Gladdish said. “They do not seem to be in any distress at the time that they're apprehended.”

Gladdish said he could not speak to whether the children had experienced trauma or whether they would require counselling, saying his investigative team had not yet been fully debriefed.

The children are currently in the care of B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development. Arrangements are being made to transfer them to Alberta Children's Services, Gladdish said.

An Amber Alert was issued for one of the children, but was cancelled when the conditions for an alert were no longer met, police said.

Though the Amber Alert was cancelled, the investigation into the children's whereabouts continued.

Police said no further details will be released at this time because the matter remains before the courts.

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Jesmeen Gill is a reporter for CBC News in Edmonton. She is a graduate from Carleton University’s journalism program in Ottawa and has previously interned at The Canadian Press. You can reach her at jesmeen.gill@cbc.ca.