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Girl in Amber Alert found

UPDATE: 6 p.m.

A Vancouver mother and her nine-year-old daughter who was the subject of an Amber Alert in Washington state have been found.

Bellingham police have tweeted that officers are with the pair at a local church after confirming the mother's car was found outside a Coachman Inn earlier Monday afternoon.

New Westminster police say Makayla Estrada-Weber had a custody visit with her mother Wilma Estrada on Jan. 22.

Police say they believe the 48-year-old mother then took her daughter, violating a court order, and crossed the border into the United States.


UPDATE: 5 p.m.

The vehicle of a Vancouver woman who is believed to have abducted her nine-year-old daughter has been located in Bellingham, Wash.

Bellingham police have confirmed the car was found parked outside a Coachman Inn, but officers have not yet located the mother or child.

New Westminster police say Makayla Estrada-Weber had a custody visit with her mother Wilma Estrada on Jan. 22.

Police say they believe the 48-year-old mother then took her daughter, violating a court order, and crossed the border into the U.S.

Acting Sgt. Jeff Scott says an Amber Alert has been issued in Washington state and authorities on both sides of the border are working together to find the mother and daughter.

The Amber Alert issued in Washington state says the mother and daughter were last believed to be spotted in Blaine after using the Pacific Highway border crossing.


ORIGINAL: 2:15 p.m.

Police in New Westminster are investigating a child abduction, and an Amber Alert has been issued in the U.S.

During a custody visit, Wilma Estrada, 48, took her daughter, Makayla Estrada-Weber, 9, into the U.S. – violating a court order, said police.

The New Westminster Police Major Crime Unit is now working with authorities in the United States to locate the mother and daughter.

“At this point we do not know the purpose of violating the court order, but we are working hard with our American partners to safely locate both mother and daughter,” said acting Sgt. Jeff Scott.

“Our detectives have issued an Amber Alert in the United States, and anyone who has information about their whereabouts is asked to call us immediately.”

Estrada is believed to be driving a grey 2003 Toyota Corolla with British Columbia licence plates 228MJT.

If you see either Estrada or her daughter or their vehicle, you are asked to call 911. Anyone with information is asked to call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.

– with files from David Wylie



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