A manhunt to find a toddler abducted near the B.C. border has intensified, a day after the two-year-old’s father was found dead.

An Amber Alert to find the girl now spans most of Western Canada and one U.S. state.

Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette was taken from a home in Blairmore, Alta., a small town near the B.C. border, at around 3:30 a.m. Monday.

But the disappearance wasn’t discovered until officers were called to the home nearly eight hours later, when someone reported the little girl’s father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, was dead.

Supt. Tony Hamori said investigators are treating the death as a homicide, and that the case is “concerning to the highest degree, both to the RCMP and the community.”

The cause of Blanchette’s death hasn’t been released but investigators are treating it as a homicide, Hamori added.

Because of how long Hailey has been missing, the RCMP fears her abductor could have fled a great distance already. An Amber Alert that was initially limited to Alberta has been extended to British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Montana.

There’s no indication yet who might have kidnapped Hailey, but authorities confirmed she is not with her mother.

“We could be dealing with a single suspect or more than that,” Hamori told a press conference Monday afternoon. “At this point in time we are really seeking to get further information on [the suspect vehicle].”

A newer white van with a large rear antenna and a flag attached was seen speeding from the residence, and the RCMP said public tips about its whereabouts could be key to solving the case.

Anyone who sees a van matching the description is urged to contact police immediately.

“We do not suggest that anyone from the public engage any suspect or suspects they come across,” Hamori added.

The little girl’s biological mother, who lives near Edmonton, told CTV News she’s still trying to figure out what happened.

She has since posted an image of her daughter on Facebook, accompanied by information from the Amber Alert.

Blanchette, who worked as a cook at a local restaurant, was described by a loving father by the people he worked with.

“Terry was the kindest guy. He loved his daughter,” said Jenness Short-Reed, a neighbour. “An amazing cook, an amazing man. He loved his little girl, he lived for his little girl and he loved all of us like we were family.”

The initial Amber Alert wasn't issued until hours after Hailey-Blanchette was discovered missing.

The RCMP said investigators must establish certain criteria before triggering an Amber Alert, and that they also have to ensure the information they put out to the public is accurate.

Dunbar-Blanchette is described as a 2-1 tall white girl with brown eyes and light brown hair with bangs.

Tips on the whereabouts of the little girl or the suspect vehicle can be reported to the Crowsnest Pass RCMP at 403-562-2866 or by dialing 911.

Investigators are expected to provide an update on the case at noon Pacific Time.

With files from CTV Calgary and CTVNews.ca