STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Search Over

Father in suspected parental abduction turns self in, son unharmed

Dec 27, 2021 | 3:46 PM

UPDATE (approx. 11:15 p.m. Dec. 27) – RCMP in Alberta say the father involved in a suspected parental abduction has turned himself in to law enforcement.

Malin Nyhus did so at about 10:30 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin detachment, along with three-year-old son Elijah.

Nyhus, 35, is being held pending a court hearing.

Updates will be provided when available. Elijah was turned over to the RCMP unharmed and is to be reunited with his mother, police say.

RCMP thank Albertans, the media, and partners in law enforcement for their assistance.

Original details are below. rdnewsNOW has removed the boy’s image from our site.

ORIGINAL (approx. 2 p.m. Dec. 27) – Alberta RCMP say they are searching for a father believed involved in a parental abduction.

Police say Malin Nyhus, 35, was last seen with son Elijah Nyhus, 3, in Red Deer the evening of Dec. 24.

It was approximately 3 p.m. when Wetaskiwin and Camrose RCMP were dispatched to a report of a father allegedly contravening a custody order, and believed to have abducted his young son, named above.

Wetaskiwin RCMP do not believe the child is in danger of serious harm or death, and as such, the case does not yet meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.

Wetaskiwin RCMP’s investigation indicates the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench had issued an order on Dec. 23, 2021, directing that Elijah be returned to his mother by 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. As indicated above, Elijah was not returned and his whereabouts remain unknown.

“Alberta RCMP have engaged the assistance of the Wetaskiwin RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) and Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), as well as the assistance of municipal police agencies throughout Alberta to exhaust efforts to locate the father and son,” RCMP say in a statement.

As of Boxing Day, Wetaskiwin RCMP have obtained an arrest warrant for the father, Malin Anthony Nyhus, on the following charges:

· Abduction – Contravening a custody order, Section 282(1) of the Criminal Code
· Disobeying order of the court, Section 127(1) of the Criminal Code

Wetaskiwin RCMP GIS, with the assistance of other Alberta RCMP units, are actively trying to locate this father and son. RCMP believe Malin Nyhus may be travelling to southern Alberta and possibly into British Columbia.

Elijah Nyhus is described:

· 3’5”

· Slim build

· Red Hair

· Brown eyes

· Pale skin

Malin Nyhus is described:

· 6’ – 6’3”

· 186 lbs – 230 lbs

· Medium build

· Blond Hair

· Hazel Eyes

Malin Nyhus is believed to be operating an older model 2007 White Pontiac Grand Prix displaying British Columbia license plate: LRO-91K. The license plate may have been replaced with a non-registered Alberta license plate: CKY-4592.

Nyhus is believed to be driving this older model 2007 white Pontiac Grand Prix displaying British Columbia license plate: LRO-91K. The license plate may have been replaced with a non-registered Alberta license plate: CKY-4592. (Supplied)

There is concern for Elijah’s well-being. If you have any information as to Malin or Elijah’s whereabouts, please contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP at 780-312-7200 or your local police. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.