The man's hearing at Prince Albert Provincial Court was very short. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Updated: Amber Alert subject accused of assaulting woman day prior

Oct 18, 2024 | 6:35 PM

Editors note: This story was updated on Friday at 6:30 p.m. to include updated information from police that no charges would be laid in connection to the Amber Alert investigation.

Less than 24 hours after turning himself into police, a man who was the subject of a province wide Amber Alert appeared in court on unrelated charges.

The man appeared at Prince Albert provincial court by phone from the Big River RCMP detachment.

As per discussion heard in court, the man is facing two assault related charges stemming from an incident that happened on Wednesday, involving a woman at Island Lake First Nation.

One of those charges relates to choking. The victim reported non-life threatening injuries to police.

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The man was remanded to appear Monday morning at provincial court in Meadow Lake.

On Thursday, a baby boy, only five days old, was taken from a home on Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

The man, who was identified by the RCMP as the boy’s father, turned himself in about 40 minutes after the alert was issued.

On Friday evening, Saskatchewan RCMP issued an update saying the subsequent investigation determined that no charges will be laid in relation to the Amber Alert incident.

“The immediate police response and resulting AMBER Alert helped us locate the baby quickly – and ensure his safety,” said Insp. Ashley St. Germaine from Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes. “This situation is testament to the power of the Saskatchewan AMBER Alert program. We sincerely thank members of the public and our news partners for their assistance with this investigation, which thankfully had a positive outcome.”

Police said they are unable to provide additional details about the incident – or the child – as there is no current court process attached to it and to be mindful of the privacy of the baby.

Police did confirm the man involved in the Amber Alert did appear in court on unrelated charges, but to maintain the privacy of the victim, no further details would be released, including naming the charged man.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore was on the Evan Bray show Friday morning and explained Amber Alerts aren’t sent out lightly.

“The key component is that we have to believe the child is in danger of bodily harm or death because there are instances where there are custody disputes,” she said

Blackmore added they have to meet a high threshold and won’t issue an amber alert when they don’t know enough details.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from CKOM