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 After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.