Minor-league hockey player charged in child-grabbing incident

A minor-league hockey player has been charged after a bizarre incident that allegedly involved a mangrabbing a toddlerfrom their mother at a park in Kelowna, B.C.

Harold GiffenNyren wascharged with assault and willfully obstructing a police officer on Monday. The 30-year-old from Calgary remains in custody, according to court documents.

Police said the alleged incident began in Kelowna's Kerry Park on Sunday afternoon.

Officers were called to the parkat Bernard Avenue and Abbott Street just before 2:30 p.m. after hearing about a man allegedly grabbing a child who was being held by theirmother.

Witnesses said thesuspecttried to swim away in Okanagan Lake after a struggle over the child.

Images and video posted online appeared to show the suspect taking off his clothesand swimming in the lakebefore being arrested and led away without his clothing.

"During his attempt to flee and his interaction with other onlookers and police, he began to disrobe,"RCMPCpl. JesseO'Donagheysaid Sunday.

Atone point he swam towards and climbed upon a log boom and may have injured his feet or lower legs, according to O'Donaghey.

The officer said the family doesn't know the suspect personally, adding that it isn't clear what the man's intentions may have been.

Police saidthe child didn't appear to be hurt, but was examined in hospital before being released.

Nyrenhas played in the American Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Alberta Midget Hockey league in several Canadian provinces, according to EliteProspects.

He was a member of the KamloopsBlazers for two seasons from 2008-2010, andplayed parts of the last three seasons in Europe, according to the website.

O'Donaghey said Nyrenremains in police custody. He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Anyone who saw the incident is asked to call Kelowna RCMP.