A Calgary mother says she been victimized by the legal system she expected to protect her and her young child.
Miranda Billing says she believed her ex-boyfriend would be convicted for what she describes as the scariest night of her life.
In June, Billing and her ex-boyfriend met at a northeast restaurant to discuss custody and parental access to Cruz, their nine month old son. According to Billing, the conversation soured and her ex, Christian Jovanovic, ripped the child from her arms and fled the area.
Police were alerted to the kidnapping and an amber alert was issued. The following day, the unharmed child was returned.
Jovanovic surrendered and was charged with:
- Threats to cause death or bodily harm (two counts)
- Kidnapping
- Breaches in relation to his previous convictions
Billing says she expected the trial to begin on Wednesday but she received a phone call indicating the kidnapping and threats charges were withdrawn.
“I felt like the outcome would have been the same if I didn't call anyone,” explains Billing. “I did call the cops, and he did go to jail for eight days, but now he is out with no charges and we have to live in fear.”
‘We could have had that situation without calling anyone.”
On Wednesday, Jovanovic plead guilty to the breach charges.
According to the Crown’s office, a conviction on the kidnapping charge was unlikely and the charges were withdrawn.
An emergency protection order remains in place, prohibiting Jovanovic from approaching Billing and the child, but Billing says she fears the document will not keep her family safe.
With files from CTV's Elissa Carpenter
