FERNIE, B.C. - The father of a three-year-old British Columbia boy who triggered an Amber Alert, sparking a cross-border manhunt now faces criminal charges in connection to the case.
Charges of abduction and theft were laid against Robert Barnett today, a day after his son Alvin disappeared following a supervised visit with his father in Fernie, in southeast B.C.
Whitefish, Montana, Police Lieutenant Bridger Kelch says Barnett was picked up following a tip from an area resident who met Barnett at a local bowling alley where Barnett asked for help with gas and food.
Kelch says the resident learned the man was sleeping in his vehicle and the resident suggested he park near his home.
But in the morning, Kelch says the resident saw the Amber Alert and called police.
Undersherrif Dave Leib, of the Flathead County Sheriff's Office in Montana, says little Alvin was fine and seemed happy and healthy when he was brought to the police station.
The boy was later returned to B.C., but his father remains in Montana because he has dual Canadian-American citizenship and Leib says the man does not want to return to Canada.
