Three arrested in connection with abduction
Three people have been arrested in connection with an abduction.
A 72-year-old male from New Brunswick has been charged with abduction of a person under 16 years old, luring a child, and conspiracy to commit an abduction.
A 63-year-old female from Milltown faces charges of abduction of a person under 16 years old and conspiracy to commit an abduction.
A 69-year-old male from Milltown has also been charged with abduction of a person under 16 years old and conspiracy to commit an abduction.
The accused have been held to appear in Provincial Court in relation to the charges.
Last Friday the RNC responded to a missing person report regarding 14-year-old Melissa Morrell, of St. John’s.
Investigators determined that Morrell had packed her belongings prior to leaving on Friday, and believed that an unauthorized adult was providing guidance to Morrell to travel across the province, potentially destined for New Brunswick.
The RCMP in this province and New Brunswick provided support to the investigation, including the monitoring of provincial access points.
On Thursday, investigators confirmed that a 72-year-old male from New Brunswick that is known to Morrell had entered Newfoundland and Labrador at the Port aux Basques ferry terminal. On Thursday afternoon investigators obtained information that led officers to determine that an abduction had occurred.
It was believed that the 72-year-old male from New Brunswick was seeking Morrell upon entry into the province.
Morrell was the subject of an Amber Alert.
At 9:55 pm, officers from the RNC and RCMP located the 72-year-old male from New Brunswick in Badger, at which time he was placed under arrest in connection with the abduction investigation.
At 1:15 am on Friday, officers attended the area of Bay D’Espoir Highway where they approached a cabin. At this time officers located Melissa Morrell, an adult female and an adult male. The male and female were taken into custody in connection with the investigation. Officers confirmed Morrell's safety and well-being. Investigators proceeded to recall the Amber Alert.