On May 14, 2016 Tasha Brown contacted the Saanich Police to report that her estranged wife, Lauren Etchells, who is a dual Canadian and UK citizen, may have abducted their 19 month old daughter, Kaydance Etchells, and had left Canada.
Saanich Police immediately launched an investigation and were able to confirm that Lauren had fled Canada and abducted Kaydance.
In August 2012 Tasha Brown and Lauren were married in BC. The following year they 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.
In July of 2015, Tasha and Lauren separated and, at that time, Kaydance was living with Lauren. The two women were going through court proceedings for custody of Kaydance.
In August 2015 a court order was signed 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.
Saanich Police have also learned that Lauren, Kaydance and Marcus travelled from England to France however all three 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.
Saanich Police and the Saanich Police Major Crime Unit, 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.
Police 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)
