Young girl allegedly abducted by her grandparents and taken to Turkey, Calgary police say
A Calgary father is concerned about his daughter, who police say has been allegedly abducted by her grandparents and taken to Turkey.
Justin Coutts said his seven-year-old daughter Teaghan is with Louanne Bass-Hassan and Mostafa Hassan, her maternal grandparents, who allegedly took her out of Canada illegally. Calgary police said they are working with police in Turkey and with other international agencies to find and bring the girl home to Calgary.
"She is currently with her grandparents for a summer vacation where I was told they were going to be going to Ontario for a family camping vacation," he told CTV News Friday.
The three of them left on July 2 and, eight days later, Coutts said he was informed the vacation would be extended.
"At that time, I found it funny so I reported it to the Calgary police. Since then, they have been confirmed to have been boarding a flight to Istanbul," he said. "They have also been believed to have vacated their premises (in Canada)."
Since that time, Coutts has been reaching out to foreign embassies for help, but he hasn't had contact with Teaghan or her grandparents since.
He wonders if they are in Egypt, because Hassan possesses Egyptian citizenship.
Coutts has been a single father since Teaghan's mother, Chellsea Bass, died. The girl was seven months old at the time.
"Myself, Louanne and Mostafa all had an agreement where we would be trying to co-parent as best we could due to the circumstances of her mother's passing," Coutts said.
As time went on, Coutts said that the relationship was strained and ultimately ended up in court.
CANADA-WIDE WARRANTS TO BE ISSUED
Calgary police confirmed to CTV News Friday that they are "actively investigating" a child abduction case involving a young girl.
They said her maternal grandparents have taken her to Turkey against her father's wishes.
"We are working diligently with international border authorities and Turkish police to locate and reunite the child with their father," said CPS Staff Sgt. Vince Hancott in an email to CTV News.
Steps are also being taken to speed up the investigation, Hancott said.
"Canada-wide warrants of arrest for the grandparents for the charge of child abduction are anticipated in the coming days."
Global Affairs said it is also aware of reports of a Canadian child being "abducted and held abroad."
"Consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance," the agency wrote in an emailed statement.
"Due to the provisions of the Privacy Act, no further information can be disclosed."
Both Global Affairs and the CPS said child abduction cases such as these are "complex events" and hard on everyone involved.
"Child abductions are some of the most difficult consular situations that the Government of Canada responds to and are a profoundly difficult and damaging experience for both the children and their families," Global Affairs said.
"The Government of Canada works with partners in Canada and officials in other countries to inquire into the safety and well-being of abducted children, and facilitate their return into Canada."
Hancott urged anyone who might have seen either the grandparents or the girl to contact police as soon as possible.
"We are asking anyone with information on the location of the grandparents or child to immediately contact CPS at 403-266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers."
(Supplied/Justin Coutts)
GOFUNDME STARTED TO HELP
Coutts said the costs associated with continuing the battle to locate and return his daughter to Canada are massive.
He said he's been advised to seek legal representation overseas and interpreters to help with the process. All of that will have to be paid out of his own pocket, Coutts said.
"As you can imagine, the costs associated with these are astronomical, given me being a single parent."
In the meantime, a GoFundMe page, created by supporters to help in the safe return of Teaghan to her father, has so far raised more than $10,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.