Kidnapped Canby Girl, 10, Found Safe in Oregon City as Marshals Arrest Suspect

A 10-year-old girl who was abducted from her family's apartment in Canby, Oregon, before dawn on Wednesday was found safe that afternoon at a house in nearby Oregon City, and a federal task force arrested the man investigators call the prime suspect as he tried to slip out the back of the house.

Canby police said Violet Hay was located at about 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and that a suspect was taken into custody by a SWAT team at the Oregon City residence. The United States Marshals Service named the arrested man as Vince Edgar Chavez and called him the prime suspect in the kidnapping.

Taken before dawn

Canby police said an unknown man entered an apartment at the Orchards Apartments in southeast Canby at about 1:39 a.m. on Wednesday, assaulted a 12-year-old child inside, and abducted Violet. Officers responded to the reported kidnapping at 1:47 a.m.

During the search, police described Violet as about 5 feet tall and 125 pounds, last seen wearing a green shirt and black shorts. Her parents cooperated with investigators through the day, police said.

A daylong search

Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez told reporters that nearly 30 investigators, some of them from across the country, worked the case from the early morning hours. Canby detectives were joined by the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team, Oregon State Police, the FBI and the Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. Investigators interviewed family members, canvassed the neighborhood and collected surveillance footage while they worked to identify a suspect.

State Senator Christine Drazan, who represents Canby, thanked the agencies involved. "I am deeply grateful for the swift and dedicated response from Canby Police, the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team and the FBI," she said in a statement carried by the Statesman Journal.

Found in Oregon City

The Marshals Service said its task force located Chavez in the 500 block of Pleasant Avenue in Oregon City. Officers from the task force, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, Oregon City police, a Washington County tactical negotiations team and the FBI entered the house as Chavez tried to escape through the rear, and he was arrested without further incident, the Marshals Service said.

The Marshals Service said Violet was found tied up in a closet inside the house and was taken to a local medical facility for treatment of her injuries and further evaluation. Canby police told reporters she had been found alive and well. The 12-year-old girl assaulted in the apartment was still receiving medical treatment at the time of the Wednesday afternoon press conference, the Herald Pioneer reported.

"The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force along with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Canby Police Department led this coordinated effort, bringing together resources to ensure the safe recovery of a kidnapped child," said Eddie Sanchez, Chief Deputy United States Marshal for the District of Oregon.

What happens next

Canby police had not released the suspect's name at their afternoon press conference. The Marshals Service statement, issued later on Wednesday, named Chavez. Police said the case will go to the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office first thing Thursday morning, Oct. 29, for a decision on charges, and that more information will be released after that. Police have not said whether Chavez knew the family, or what led investigators to the Oregon City house. Chief Gonzalez said the investigation remains open.