A missing Saskatoon woman and her seven-year-old son have been found safe, police say.
Dawn Walker, 48, and her son went missing on July 24. His truck and some belongings were found the next morning at Chief Whitecap Park, where he may have been fishing.
Since the discovery, police and volunteers have combed the park and the adjacent South Saskatchewan River for any sign of Walker or her son.
In a press release, the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) said Waker and her son were located in Oregon City, Ore., around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
“Both are reported to be safe and well,” SPS said.
“Agency representatives are currently working on the details to arrange his return to Canada.”
Walker was located with the help of the US Department of Homeland Security, SPS said.
According to police, the couple had entered the US illegally and were met with the help of multiple agencies and Oregon State Police.
“U.S. authorities are considering the implications and any potential action as a result of an illegal entry into the U.S.,” SPS said.
“Dawn Walker will return to Saskatoon to meet with investigators. Representatives of the US agency in consultation with SPS are currently working on the details of returning (her son) to a legal guardian,” he said the press release.
In a statement to CTV News, the boy’s father said he is “overwhelmed” and is working to get his son back to Saskatoon.
“(I’d like to thank everyone for their support and prayers and thank the Saskatoon Police Service for the hard work and thorough investigation that led to his return,” he said).
In a message posted on Facebook, Walker’s sister, Patricia Dorian, shared her gratitude for those who helped search for Walker and her son.
“From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone for supporting my family in the search.”
Before she was reported missing, Walker was last seen around 6 p.m. Friday, July 22, at a business in the 300 block of Owen Manor in the city’s Brighton neighborhood, according to police.
Walker’s search was largely focused on the South Saskatchewan River, which runs through the park where his truck and belongings were found.
In addition to an extensive ground search, police and volunteers searched for signs of Walker and her son by air and by boat equipped with sonar.
Dive teams also assisted in the search for the mother and child.
Walker is a long-time employee of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).
The organization was to announce a reward for information that would help locate Walker and her son.
A press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. where the reward was expected to be announced was abruptly canceled Friday morning.
–This is breaking news. More details to come.