WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Two young boys who were reported taken from an Alberta community in early July have been located at a rural property in West Kelowna, British Columbia, the RCMP said Thursday.
Children found and placed with protection services
Provincial police described the children as brothers, aged four and six. Officers said both are in good health and are currently under the care of B.C.’s child protection agency while arrangements are made to reunite them with Alberta authorities.
The boys were the subject of an Amber Alert issued in early July after Mounties in Alberta reported they had been taken from Valhalla Centre, a small hamlet northwest of Grande Prairie. Alerts were subsequently distributed in other jurisdictions, including British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, but were later rescinded as investigations continued.
Charges laid in B.C.
RCMP said the boys’ mother and her partner were arrested in connection with the case and have been charged with contravening a custody order. Police provided no further details about the charges, court dates or whether any additional allegations are being investigated.
The discovery brought an end, at least for now, to a cross-provincial search that spanned more than two months and involved multiple law-enforcement agencies and child-welfare authorities.
Timeline and jurisdictions involved
Below is a concise summary of the key dates and locations public information has identified:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early July | Amber Alert issued after boys reportedly taken from Valhalla Centre, Alta. |
| July–September | Investigations and alerts extended to neighbouring jurisdictions; Amber Alerts cancelled while police continued inquiries. |
| Sept. 18 | RCMP locate the children at a rural West Kelowna property; two adults arrested and charged. |
Community and investigative implications
The case highlights the logistical challenges of locating missing children when families cross provincial borders, and the role of coordinated alerts and local policing. While Amber Alerts remain a vital tool for rapidly mobilizing public attention, investigators noted that alerts are sometimes cancelled while officers continue background work to locate subjects.
Local child-welfare officials in B.C. will oversee temporary care and assess the children’s needs before any transfer to Alberta is completed. Police did not provide a timetable for when that repatriation would take place.
What officials have confirmed
- Two boys, ages four and six, were found in West Kelowna and are reported to be in good health.
- Arrests have been made: the boys’ mother and her partner are charged with contravening a custody order.
- Child protection authorities have custody for the time being while arrangements are made to return the boys to Alberta.
RCMP statements did not include details about how the location was discovered, whether the home was occupied by others, or whether any firearms or other hazards were involved. Police also did not release the names of those arrested or their place of residence pending further legal steps.
How the public can help in similar cases
When an Amber Alert is active, authorities ask members of the public to:
- Take alerts seriously and act quickly if you see a matching vehicle or persons.
- Call local police rather than attempting to intervene directly.
- Preserve any relevant footage from dashcams or doorbell cameras and offer it to investigators.
Interprovincial cases often involve multiple agencies; timely public tips can be crucial to resolving them safely.
This developing story was first reported by The Canadian Press and updated with local details from RCMP statements. WE NEWS will follow up as court documents and child-welfare agencies provide more information about next steps and timelines for the children’s return to Alberta.
