–Saanich Police media release

On June 8, 2016 a Canada Wide Warrant was issued for the arrest of Lauren Ann Etchells. Etchells is wanted for abducting her daughter, Kaydance Paige Etchells, who is 3 years old today.

Saanich Police Detectives have continued to work closely with our partner agencies in an attempt to locate Kaydance and bring her home safely.

A person of interest in the investigation, Marco van der Merwe, is now believed to be in the Netherlands. Detectives are attempting to locate him in hopes that he can provide valuable information about the whereabouts of Kaydance and Lauren.

We are again asking for anyone who may have any information to come forward and help.

If you have any information that may assist in Kaydance’s return please contact one of the numbers below:

Saanich Police Information Line 1(888)980-1919

Canadian Centre for Child Protection 1(866)-543-8477

To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers 1(800)222-TIPS(8477)

Tasha Brown, Kaydance’s mum, still has an active Facebook page dedicated to helping find Kaydance. There is also a new video that Tasha has posted on YouTube.

A/Sgt. Jereme Leslie

SPD File 16-10547

Original Release, September 26, 2016

On May 14, 2016 Tasha Brown contacted the Saanich Police to report her estranged wife, Lauren Etchells, may have abducted their 19 month old daughter, Kaydance Etchells, and had left Canada. Saanich Police immediately launched into an investigation and were able to confirm that Lauren had fled Canada and had abducted Kaydance.

Background

Lauren Etchells is a dual Canadian and UK citizen. In August 2012 Tasha Brown and Lauren were married in BC. In 2013 Tasha and Lauren decided to have a child, went through a donor process and on September 26, 2014 their daughter Kaydance Etchells was born in Alberta (where the couple was living at the time). After Kaydance was born she received a UK Passport as Lauren had dual citizenship.

On July 31, 2015 Tasha and Lauren were separated and, at that time, Kaydance was living with Lauren. Tasha and Lauren were going through court proceedings for custody of Kaydance. In August 2015 a court order was signed, by a Provincial Court Judge, stating that Lauren needed to surrender Kaydance’s UK passport, that she shall not apply for a Canadian passport for Kaydance, nor shall she leave Vancouver Island.

In April 2016 Lauren disobeyed the court order, lied to Passport Canada and obtained a Canadian Passport for Kaydance. On May 8, 2016 Lauren and Kaydance Etchells along with Lauren’s new partner, Marco van der Merwe and their new born child Marcus boarded Westjet Flight 0022 from Vancouver to London Gatwick.

Investigation

After Tasha contacted the Saanich Police the Saanich Police Major Crime Unit assumed conduct of the investigation. Detectives were able to gather evidence and have been working closely with Interpol, the RCMP National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the BC Criminal Justice Branch.

Saanich Police have also learned that Lauren, Kaydance and Marcus travelled from England to France however all 3 are now travelling on passports issued by the UK. Lauren, Kaydance and Marcus have not been seen since mid-late May 2016.

On May 19, 2016 Saanich Police requested a warrant for Lauren’s arrest and on June 8, 2016 a Canada Wide Warrant was issued for the arrest of 31 year old Lauren Ann Etchells. Since this time Saanich Police Detectives have continued to work closely with our partner agencies in an attempt to locate Kaydance and bring her home safely.

We are asking for anyone who may have any information to come forward and help. This may include family, friends, neighbours of the family, new or old business associates, anyone who may have been on the same flight as them to England or anyone else that may be able to provide any assistance.

If you have any information that may assist in Kaydance’s return please contact one of the numbers below:

Saanich Police Information Line 1(888)980-1919

Canadian Centre for Child Protection 1(866)-543-8477

To remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers 1(800)222-TIPS(8477)

Photo’s of Kaydance

There are several available photographs of Kaydance on a Facebook page that Tasha is currently managing. Please refer to the Facebook page “Where in the world is Kaydance” for these photos. www.facebook.com/whereintheworldisKaydance

A/Sgt. Jereme Leslie

SPD File 16-10547

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