Amber Alert issued for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette after father found dead

• UPDATE:The Amber Alert for the missing Alberta toddler has been cancelled after remains were found.Find the latest information here.

An Amber Alert has been issued by the RCMP in Crowsnest Pass, Alta., in the abduction of a two-year-old girl.

Police sayHaileyDunbar-Blanchettewas taken from a home in Blairmore about 3:30 a.m. MT on Monday.

Her father, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette,was found dead at the sceneand police say the homicide unit has been called in to investigate.

The alert for Hailey was originally in place just for Alberta, but was expanded to B.C., Saskatchewan and Montana on Monday afternoon.

"This type of incident, combined with the scene at the residencewe found, is concerning to the highest degree both to the RCMP and communities down in the Crowsnest Pass," said Supt. Tony Hamori.

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass houses residents of Blairmore, Coleman and Bellevue, as well as the historical site at Frank Slide.

Cpl. Sharon Franks says theRCMP did not receive a call until just after 11 a.m., which is why the Amber Alert was not issued until later in the day.

The missinggirlhaslight brown straight hair withbangs, and brown eyes. RCMP say they confirmed the girl was not with her mother, but Supt.Hamori could not shed any more light on the family's background.

Police said they don't know who took her in a vehicle, whichfled athighspeedheading west.

White van sought

The vehicle is described as a newer model white vanwith a large rear antenna anda flag attached.

"We are making an appeal to the public through the media and Amber Alert in respect to this white van," saidHamori.

The B.C. Amber Alert saysRCMPare seeking a male driver, but Hamori says they are not sure how many suspects they are looking for. He says they have made inquiries at the border with the U.S. to see if a vehicle matching the description in the case has passed through.

Police are asking people not to approach the vehicle and to call Blairmore RCMPat403-562-2866 or Crime Stoppers with any information.

Hamori says theRCMP have usedseveral resources in the search for the girl, including a helicopter. Aspecial tactical operationsunit has also been called into patrol the crime scene.

Crowsnest Pass MayorBlair Paintersaid news of the abduction is reverberating through his community.

"Most people know each other.News travels very quickly and especially traumatic news travels quickly," he said. "Our community will be willing to support this family in anyway possible."

B.C. Amber Alert: read the full document here

MAP: Blairmore, Alta.