Saskatoon mother accused of faking death says she 'was left with no choice'
A Saskatoon mother who stands accused of faking her own death, as well as her son's, and illegally entering the U.S. is defending her actions.
Dawn Walker, 48, and her seven-year-old son were located by U.S. authorities in Oregon on Aug. 5.
In a statement provided to CTV News by attorney Eleanore Sunchild, Walker said that she took her son into the U.S. because she feared for her safety.
"I left Saskatoon because I feared for my safety and that of my son," Walker said.
"I love my son so very much. He is my only child, and I would do absolutely anything for him."
Walker is currently being detained in a jail in the U.S. where she is facing two charges of identity theft in connection to an alleged illegal border crossing.
"I ask for support to return to Canada to my Treaty lands where I will continue in my pursuit for justice for myself and my son," Walker said.
"More will come out as I further tell my story upon my return."
On July 24, Walker and her son were reported missing. Her truck and belongings were found the next morning at Chief Whitecap Park in Saskatoon.
Following the discovery, police and volunteers spent days combing the park and the adjacent South Saskatchewan River for any sign of Walker or her son.
Through financial records, Canadian and U.S. investigators located Walker and her son at an Airbnb in Oregon City.
In addition to the U.S. charges, Saskatoon Police Service has charged Walker with abduction in contravention of a custody order and public mischief.
Walker said she was "left with no choice" and apologized to anyone she hurt.
During a news conference on Monday, SPS Deputy Chief Randy Huisman confirmed Walker had previously made domestic violence allegations which were "thoroughly investigated."
"No charges resulted as a result of those investigations," Huisman said.
Walker's son was reunited with his biological father over the weekend, according to U.S authorities.
When asked about Walker's statement, he declined an interview request saying he is currently focused on his son and family.
According to U.S court documents, Walker has been "engaged in a lengthy custody dispute" with her son's biological father.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.