Julia Dela-Cruz, 5, is shown in this undated handout photo. Police have issued an Amber Alert for a five-year-old girl they allege was abducted this morning by her father in Aurora, Ont. York Regional police allege the girl's father, Mario Rodrigues, forced his way into his ex-wife's home in around 4:20 a.m. and abducted the child. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Ontario Provincial Police
Republished April 18, 2016 - 11:26 AM
Original Publication Date April 18, 2016 - 6:45 AM
AURORA, Ont. - A four-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted by her father early Monday morning has been airlifted to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the car they were in rolled over following a police pursuit.
York Regional police allege the girl was taken at 4:20 a.m. when her father forced his way into his ex-wife's house in Aurora, Ont., north of Toronto.
Ontario Provincial Police launched a province-wide Amber Alert for the girl around 9 a.m. Moments later, officers spotted the man's vehicle near Bancroft, Ont., and tried to stop it several times before calling off the chase.
The province's police watchdog, which is called in to investigate incidents involving police in which there has been death, injury or allegations of sexual assault, says the vehicle was later found rolled over in Pembroke, Ont.
OPP Sgt. Kristine Rae says the girl suffered non life-threatening injuries in the crash and was airlifted to a children's hospital in Ottawa.
She says the man — identified as 35-year-old Mario Rodrigues — was taken into custody and transported to hospital with minor injuries.
When asked why the Amber Alert was only issued more than four hours after the alleged abduction, police said that is when they received information that suggested the child's life was in danger.
"Earlier this morning, officers received information that the suspect vehicle was observed at high speeds, driving aggressively," said Rae.
An Amber Alert is issued when police believe a child under 18 years old has been abducted, the child is in danger, and an immediate broadcast will help locate the child.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016