Accused in Amber Alert case pleads guilty to several charges

The man charged in connection with a child abduction case that sparked an Amber Alert last month has pleaded guilty to several charges and is expected to be sentenced in January. 

Johnathan Ryann Gunville, 19, of North Battleford, entered guilty pleas Thursday to charges of abandoning a child, theft of a vehicle, operation of a vehicle dangerous to the public, and driving while disqualified. Gunville appeared by closed-circuit television in North Battleford Provincial Court today.

Other charges including abduction and unlawful confinement related to the incident are expected to be discussed when the case comes back to court January 9.

RCMP issued the Amber Alert after a woman reported her SUV stolen from a local strip mall around 5 p.m. on Sept. 16. A six-year-old girl was in the SUV when it was taken. The girl was located early the next morning inside the missing SUV, which was found in a field in North Battleford’s Industrial Park.