Oregon police capture suspect after finding abducted 10-year-old girl safe
Violet Hay was located in Oregon City 12 hours after being taken from a Canby apartment where her sister was assaulted.
By Elena Greco ·
Police in Oregon found 10-year-old Violet Hay safe on Wednesday afternoon, ending a search that began with her reported abduction from a Canby apartment earlier that morning. Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez announced the discovery at a news conference, describing the moment as emotional for the department. He stated that investigators located the girl at a residence in Oregon City at 2:45 p.m., more than 12 hours after officers first responded to the scene.
Officers arrived at the apartment complex in Canby at approximately 1:47 a.m. following reports of a kidnapping. According to a police release, an unknown male entered the apartment around 1:39 a.m., assaulted the 12-year-old sibling, and took Violet by force. Clackamas County chief deputy district attorney Chris Owen confirmed that the older girl was viciously assaulted and transported to a local hospital, where she remains under treatment.
A SWAT team surrounded the Oregon City residence and took a suspect into custody. Chief Gonzalez noted that the situation remained dynamic as detectives continued their work. He emphasized that police are still gathering details about the circumstances of the incident. The department has not yet determined if additional suspects are involved in the case.
The investigation has involved local and state authorities, including the FBI, who assisted in locating surveillance footage and developing suspect descriptions. Police interviewed family members and noted that Violet's parents are cooperating with investigators. The district attorney's office will receive the investigation results Thursday morning to make a charging decision regarding the suspect in custody.
Canby is situated about 25 miles south of downtown Portland. The Canby School District announced an increased police presence at Carus Elementary School, where Violet is a student, during Wednesday's dismissal. The district sent a message to families stating that the goal is to remain calm and report any information that could aid investigators. The police department urged anyone with tips to contact Oregon State Police at 1-800-442-0776 and reference case number 26-021300.
Source: ABC7 New York
