Doug De Patie, whose son Grant was dragged to death while working as a gas station attendant in 2005, says his family is shaken after learning his son's killer breached his curfew just days after being released from jail.
Darnell Pratt was freed on statutory release earlier this week and ordered to live in a Kamloops halfway house.
Police say he reported to the residence on Thursday and met his 8 p.m. curfew. On Friday he disappeared, and police issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest.
At 2 a.m. Saturday morning, De Patie was awoken by a phone call informing him that his son's killer was loose. "That was a kick in the side," De Patie said. "I didn't sleep pretty much the whole rest of the night."
De Patie said Pratt's disappearance suggests he's not taking his rehabilitation seriously, a crushing disappointment for him and his family. "[Pratt] was supposed to be a good candidate for rehabilitation. That's what those judges and lawyers duped us and told us from the begining."
Pratt was 16-years-old when he pulled into a Maple Ridge gas station five years ago driving a stolen car. De Patie's son Grant became suspicious of the car and walked over to write down the license plate. Pratt took off, hitting Grant and then dragging him for 7.5 kilometres.
"We're the ones that seem to be sentenced," De Patie said. "Grant's dead forever. [Pratt] took 50 years of Grant's life … he won't even give it a day's effort."
If Pratt is caught, De Patie said he wants to see him put back in prison "regardless of how soon he's found or what excuses he's come up with."
"I demand that he become a productive member of our community or be held inside," he said.
And he may get his wish, according to Patrick Storey, regional manager of the National Parole Board.
There are two possible outcomes for Pratt once he is located, Storey said. If his parole officer and the parole board determine he is a threat to reoffend, he will be returned to jail. If they don't, he will be returned to his halfway house.
Whether Pratt turns himself in or is arrested could affect the decision.
Pratt's release conditions are the most restrictive available, Storey said. He is prohibited from drinking alcohol, associating with anyone tied to crime, and contacting the family of his victim.
He is also required to report in on a regular basis, and his movements are monitored – but if someone living in a halfway house wants to slip out through the back door, Storey said it is possible to do so.
Police say Pratt was last seen wearing a white T-shirt over a black T-shirt, with blue jeans and black runners. He is 5-8 tall, weighs 176 lbs., and has brown eyes and black hair with a buzz-cut. Anyone who sees Pratt is asked to contact police immediately.
Though he is frustrated, De Patie said he still forgives the young man who killed his son.
"My forgiveness doesn't have conditions on it," he said. "Whether he fails or succeeds, I still have to forgive him."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson