Emma has been found – Amber Alert cancelled

UPDATE – The Amber Alert for Emma O’Keeffe has been cancelled after the six-year-old was found in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

Police said the girl was found early in the morning but provided no details. They said she was taken to hospital for treatment.

Earlier story below –

Regina, Saskatchewan – An amber alert for a stranger abduction of autistic, epileptic 6-year-old Emma O’Keeffe has been expanded to three provinces.

Police are appealing to the suspect to save her life by dropping her into the care of a hospital. She was left alone in a running SUV while her mom went to a shop at a shop in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.  The child was strapped in a seat in the back of the SUV.

Her parents have made  video appeal. It was released by RCMP.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued the alert after someone stole a Mercedes SUV from a strip mall in North Battleford. Emma was strapped in her seat in the back of the vehicle.

The mother apparently had gone inside a store leaving the car running. She had her keys with her. The SUV cannot be restarted after it is turned off but has a half tank of fuel.

RCMP said the vehicle and the child were taken at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 16.

“At approximately 5:00 this afternoon a Dark Grey 2010 Mercedes GL350 SUV with Saskatchewan license plate pl was stolen from in front of a strip mall on 11204 Railway AVE in North Battleford,” said an RCMP statement.

The child was in the back of this type of vehicle when the SUV was stolen.

“This address is on the southwest side of North Battleford and adjacent to Hwy 16 which runs north and then crosses the North Saskatchewan River and heads west to Alberta. This also goes south, towards Saskatoon. The SUV was parked at the strip mall running when it was stolen.”

“6-year-old Emma O’Keeffe was secured in her car seat in the rear passenger seat of the vehicle when the vehicle was stolen.

“Emma is described as 3’6″ tall and weighs 44 lbs. Her hair is brown in color and is cut in a bob style to her jaw line,” police said.

“Emma is autistic and does not speak, she also suffers from epilepsy and does not walk. She would not be able to exit a vehicle on her own.” (See police update at bottom.)

• So far cops have an aircraft and a helicopter ready.
• They have flown top detectives to North Battleford.
• They are asking gas stations to be on the lookout for the diesel vehicle.
• All patrol cars have been informed.

“Emma was last seen wearing a navy blue long sleeve shirt, black jeans and pink socks. She did not have any shoes on.”

This is a stolen vehicle with a child in the back seat, this was not a parental abduction. The SUV was stolen with almost a half tank of gas, cops said.

Saskatchewan RCMP is in the process of expanding this Amber Alert to Alberta and Manitoba given the possible range of the vehicle.

4 a.m Pacific Time Update from RCMP

“Investigators are extremely concerned for Emma’s safety. Emma is autistic and does not speak. She has epilepsy and requires assistance to exit a vehicle on her own. Investigators have clarified with family members that Emma can walk, however, while walking she will appear unsteady on her feet and has the tendency to fall on uneven ground. Her family report she may not respond if someone calls her name. Additionally, Emma requires medication to be taken every twelve hours and missing a dose could lead to extreme medical distress or possibly death. She requires assistance eating and has a stomach tube which she uses for fluid intake and the administering of medication.

Immediately after the abduction was reported, RCMP officers from the surrounding areas began immediate patrols and information was shared with investigators across the province and in neighbouring jurisdictions. Highly trained investigators have been deployed to the North Battleford’s area and the RCMP Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation.

Additional resources have been deployed to assist with the investigation, including additional officers to conduct targeted patrols. A helicopter from Alberta RCMP and airplane from Saskatchewan RCMP are on standby in the event a search location is identified.

Investigators continue to ask gas stations across western Canada to be on the lookout for the stolen SUV. This vehicle requires diesel fuel and may attempt to stop to fill up with more fuel. Investigators have confirmed the stolen vehicle does not have any GPS capability. Call 911 immediately if you see, or think you have seen, the vehicle.

Tips continue to be received, however, none have led to the identification of a suspect, direction of travel for the stolen vehicle or any confirmed sightings. Investigators are asking the public to be vigilant and continue looking for Emma. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately.

Investigators would like the person who stole the SUV to know there is a way to ensure Emma is safe and ask them to drop Emma off at a hospital so she can get the health care she needs.”