Derek Saretzky court date in deaths of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, her dad postponed
The first court appearance of the man accused of murdering a two-year-old Alberta girl and her father was postponed this morning, and is now set for Sept. 30 in Lethbridge.
Derek Saretzky faces two charges of first-degree murder and one count of indignity to a body in relation to Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette's death.
The public became aware of the case when an Amber Alert was issued for the toddler last week.
RCMP had been called to her father's home in Blairmore around 11 a.m. MT on Sept. 14 after a family member discovered Terry Blanchette's body. That's when they discovered the young girl was missing.
Neighbours told investigators they saw a white van driving away from the home around 3:30 a.m.
Saretzky was taken in for questioning on Sept. 15.
Hours later, investigators recovered Hailey's body in a rural area of Blairmore and formal charges were laid the next day.
Hailey's father and mother had shared custody, and Blanchette had been taking care of her for a couple of weeks.
Police confirmed Saretzky and Blanchette knew each other, but didn't provide details on their relationship.
Hailey's mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, has said she was friends with Saretzky when she lived in the area, but hadn't spoken to him in three years.
Saretzky has hired Edmonton lawyer Peter Northcott. His appearance on Sept. 30 will be via CCTV.
