A manhunt is underway for an alleged kidnapper in B.C. This comes a day after a three-year-old boy was returned to his Sparwood, B.C. home. And while the little boy's family is celebrating his return, some are criticizing the actions of the RCMP.
Three-year-old Kienan Hebert's father, Paul Hebert, describes the first moments when he saw his son returned home safely.
"Finding Kienan sleeping was a meltdown -- I found every piece in my body went numb," said Paul Hebert.
Police issued a public bulletin after their investigation led them to believe the boy was in the company of a man with a lengthy criminal record.
Police in Sparwood say 46-year-old Randall Peter Hopley is the sole suspect in the kidnapping of Kienan.
The 46-year-old man is a resident of Sparwood and was on probation after being convicted of assault.
The boy was returned to his home unharmed early Sunday morning.
The Heberts moved in with a neighbour shortly after their son was reported missing, just as their home was designated as a crime scene.
Kienan was reported missing after he vanished from his bed last Tuesday night. The toddler was not seen or heard from until he was he was secretly returned to his home in the middle of the night.
Paul Hebert says the house was empty at that time, with the doors intentionally left unlocked.
"We're not upset that Hopley came back into our house we left the doors unlocked hoping he'd bring him," said Paul.
Some residents now question whether police were closely monitoring the Hebert's home.
"How can you watch a house for four days and then find out that this guy put the kid back in the house. Why weren't the cops watching the house? It just doesn't make any sense," said one Sparwood resident.
But Paul doesn't share that criticism, instead saying if police were watching, Kienan may not have been returned. But he does condemn the criminal justice system.
"Hopley was taken in because he had a problem and he had a record of having a problem. Now Hopley is out because someone didn't do his job," said Paul.
It's alleged Hopley attempted to abduct another child on the evening Kienan went missing. Hopley has a lengthy criminal history, which includes sexual assault, break and enter, and theft.
The Hebert family is now trying to cope with the emotional stress that comes when the safety and sanctity of a home is undermined. Paul did say Kienan is afraid of strangers and the entire family needs professional help.
Hopley still remains at large and police are searching the area in and around Sparwood.
With files from Serena Mah and CTV.ca
