Chief Supt. Tyler Bates of the RCMP's South District Management Team speaks during a media conference in Regina on Aug. 9, 2022 about an Amber Alert in Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell

By 650 CKOM News

‘The children are safe:’ South Dakota official details end of Amber Alert

Aug 10, 2022 | 2:01 PM

Law enforcement officials in South Dakota found the subjects of a Saskatchewan Amber Alert late Tuesday night, more than 930 kilometres from their home in Eastend.

“The suspect and the children were found at a campground near Sturgis late last night,” Tony Mangan, the public information officer for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, said Wednesday from Pierre, S.D.

“They were taken into custody without further incident, and the children are safe.”

The Amber Alert was cancelled early Wednesday after the RCMP was informed the children had been found and a suspect – 50-year-old Benjamin Martin Moore – had been arrested.

The alert was issued Monday night on behalf of the Shaunavon RCMP. The Mounties were looking for two children, a seven-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy, who had disappeared from Eastend in the company of their mother and Moore.

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According to the Mounties, Moore has a history of sexual offences against children and vulnerable people.

“We believe that (the children) are in danger in the presence of Benjamin Moore,” Chief Supt. Tyler Bates, the officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP’s South District Management Team, told reporters Tuesday. “We want to locate them as quickly as possible to ensure that they’re brought home safely.”

On Wednesday, Mangan – on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security in South Dakota – provided a few more details on the events leading up to the rescue of the children, but he couldn’t say how Moore, the kids and their mother were able to get into the United States.

During a media conference at RCMP headquarters in Regina on Tuesday, Bates said officers went to a house in Eastend on Aug. 2 along with representatives of the Ministry of Social Services. The visit was to check on the children, their mother and her common-law partner, Moore.

“At the outset of this investigation, there was a well-being check that was taking place,” Bates said. “We found the residence vacated and it’s only since (Monday) evening that the request came from the Ministry of Social Services with respect to the apprehension order (for the children).

“Immediately upon that being obtained, the Amber Alert was sought and obtained.”

Bates said a warrant had been issued for Moore’s arrest on a charge of failing to report information to the Registration Centre within seven days after a change of main or secondary residence. Those reports are required for a registered sex offender.

Mangan couldn’t say whether or not Moore would be facing further charges in South Dakota.

“It’s still in the discussion process,” Mangan said. “The most important thing is that the kids are safe.”

The next steps include finding out where the kids will go.

“The children are now being cared for and preparations are made being made to get the children back to the rightful custodian,” Mangan said. “Also, the investigation continues.”

The Saskatchewan RCMP has not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.