SPARWOOD (NEWS1130) – The father of a three-year-old boy who was abducted four days ago is thanking God – and the boy’s abductor – for returning Kienan Herbert safely.
“To the person who returned Kienan safely to our family, we would like to say thank you,” says Paul Hebert, a father of eight, breaking down in tears. “It was the right thing to do. I thank God that Kienan was returned unharmed.”
The boy was returned to his home just after 2 a.m. by a suspect. As a result, the Amber Alert was cancelled.
“He appears to be in good general health, not withstanding that right now he’s in care with the appropriate people,” says Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. “The little guy appears to be in good health.”
No one has been arrested and police are still searching for the man they believe took Hebert, 46-year-old Randall Hopley.
Hopley is suspected of snatching the little boy from the family home on Tuesday night. A massive search for the pair was launched and an Amber Alert stretched from BC into Alberta.
Canadian Press reporter Bill Graveland was in Sparwood when the happy news of Kienan’s return broke.
“He was described as being in good spirits and very resilient, and we saw him, from a distance, mind you, playing with his brothers and sisters playing in the front yard of the house they’re staying in,” Graveland tells News1130.
“I think he had a can of that Silly String stuff that you use, and it didn’t look like he was any the worse for wear. So I’m hoping that it was more of an adventure for him than something that’s going to stay with him.”
Graveland also explains why the RCMP didn’t catch him overnight, saying that there had been police tape around the home for days and they had only recently reduced their presence at the crime scene.
“Once they finished their forensic investigation, I guess they thought that was the last place he would return to,” he says.
Hopley once again urged to contact police
Cpl. Moskaluk again urged Hopley this afternoon to reach out to police so they can establish a timeline of events in the tot’s disappearance.
Moskaluk said it was obvious that Paul Hebert’s plea on Saturday to Hopley, in which he reminded the suspect that his son is too young to identify his abductor to investigators, got through.
“I’m pretty sure that we were having a conversation with you yesterday, or at least you and Paul did have a conversation, because we saw what you did,” said Moskaluk, addressing Hopley directly. “So from the bottom of all our hearts, thank you for bringing Kienan Hebert home and reuniting him with his family.”
“It was a tremendous thing that you did for them, OK, Randall? And it’s perfectly clear.
“Our investigation now is shifting its focus from getting Kienan home safely to ensuring public safety by finding Randall.”
Moskaluk urged Hopley to reach out to police by calling 911, any member of the RCMP he knows in the Sparwood area, or by turning himself in at any detachment.
“We know how extremely difficult it’s been, this time, for your family, and yourself,” he said. “But you’ve done the right thing so far. You’ve corrected many things…. We know you have a story to tell. We want you to reach out to police. Come and talk to us. We can talk about this. We are concerned for your well-being.”
The public was once again asked to be on the lookout for any sign of Hopley, who is described as white with brown hair, hazel eyes, five-foot-ten-inches and 147 pounds. They said there is a possibility he has switched cars, but they are still looking for his brown Toyota Camry, BC license plate #098 RAL.
Moskaluk asked for the public’s patience and understanding about the RCMP’s limited ability to answer some big questions that remain, including how Kienan’s abductor managed to return him to his home undetected.
“We are absolutely not in a position to start discussing, in great detail, who was where, where was the child exactly in the house, we cannot get into those, because what happens is, if we discuss those prior to court proceedings, this null and voids and destroys the evidentiary value of that evidence and information,” he said.
He said that information will come to light if and when there are court proceedings.
Sparwood heaves a sigh of relief
Everyone living in Sparwood is completely shocked and delighted over the news.
Tara works at a hotel in town and plays baseball with the boy’s father Paul Hebert. She tells News1130 people there are still a little puzzled as to how exactly Kienan was returned.
“We just heard that he was brought back into his home and so that’s why everyone is shocked at how this guy broke back in and put the child in the house.”
Tara says the whole ordeal has been a nightmare for the Hebert family. “He’s [Paul] been so strong. He’s been trying to enlighten the mood with everybody; he’s been trying to be very strong for his family. He’s been great.”
She explains people who live in Sparwood feel proud to call it home. “Everybody has been saying this is why they’re proud to call Sparwood their home because everybody has helped. When somebody is in trouble they’re all there to help, day and night, early in the morning until late at night, everybody has been out there helping search.”
Still, she says they’re just thankful he’s back and the family’s prayers have been answered.