Saskatchewan RCMP charge man in abduction that sparked Amber Alert last Sunday

NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested a man following an investigation into the abduction of a girl who was in a stolen vehicle that sparked an Amber Alert last Sunday.

Emma O’Keeffe had been left in the back of her parents’ running Mercedes that was taken from outside a strip mall in North Battleford.

The six-year-old, who is autistic, epileptic and non-verbal, was found safe almost 14 hours later still inside the SUV a few kilometres away from where it was stolen.

Police say Johnathan Gunville, who is 19, has been charged with abducting a child, unlawful confinement, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle and other offences.

Gunville is being held in custody and is to appear in North Battleford provincial court on Monday.

Emma O’Keeffe, who needs medication to control her condition, was found conscious and taken to hospital where she was checked out and then released.