(St. John’s, NL), June 9, 2023 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) made multiple arrests and located a 14-year-old girl who was believed to be abducted.
On Friday June 2, 2023, at 8:15 pm, the RNC responded to a missing person report regarding a 14-year-old girl of St. John’s. She was last seen on Friday, June 2, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am in the area of Thorburn Road, St. John’s.
Investigators determined that the 14-year-old girl had packed her belongings prior to leaving on Friday and believed that an unauthorized adult was providing guidance to the 14-year-old girl to travel across the province, potentially destined for New Brunswick. Significant resources of the RNC Criminal Investigation Division (CID) were assigned to this missing person investigation involving a vulnerable youth. The RCMP-NL and RCMP-NB provided support to the investigation, including the monitoring of provincial access points.
On the morning of Thursday, June 8, 2023, investigators confirmed that a 72-year-old male from New Brunswick that is known to the 14-year-old girl had entered Newfoundland and Labrador at the Port Aux Basques ferry terminal. On Thursday afternoon investigators obtained information that led officers to determine that an abduction had occurred. It was believed that the 72-year-old male from New Brunswick was seeking the 14-year-old girl upon entry into the province. The abductor was not known to police at this stage but was believed to be known to the girl. Investigators engaged RNC Public Communication to initiate an Amber Alert.
An Amber Alert was issued at 5:37 pm on Thursday, June 8, reaching all devices and broadcasts on the island portion of the province.
At 9:55 pm, officers from the RNC and RCMP located the 72-year-old male from New Brunswick in Badger, at which time he was placed under arrest in connection with the abduction investigation.
At 1:15 am on Friday, June 9, 2023, officers attended the area of Bay D’Espoir Highway where they approached a cabin. At this time officers located the 14-year-old girl, as well as an adult female and an adult male. The male and female were taken into custody in connection with the investigation. Officers confirmed the girl’s safety and wellbeing. Investigators proceeded to recall the Amber Alert.
As a result of the investigation into this event, the following charges have been filed:
72-year-old male from New Brunswick
- Abduction of a person under 16 years old
- Luring a child
- Conspiracy to commit an abduction
63-year-old female from Milltown
- Abduction of a person under 16 years old
- Conspiracy to commit and abduction
69-year-old male from Milltown
- Abduction of a person under 16 years old
- Conspiracy to commit and abduction
The accused have been held to appear in Provincial Court in relation to the charges.
The RNC sends its gratitude to our partner agencies and our communities for their support through this investigation.
The RNC request anyone who has information to assist contact the RNC at 729-8000 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.
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File # 2022-28697
Cst. James. C. Cadigan #775
Media Relations & Public Communication
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca