Derek Saretzky court date in deaths of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father postponed

The first court appearance of the man accused of murdering atwo-year-old Alberta girland her fatherwas postponed this morning, and is nowset forSept. 30 in Lethbridge.

Derek Saretzkyfaces two charges of first-degree murder and one count of indignity to a body in relation to Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette's death.

• Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette andfatherhonoured with motorcycle convoy
• What we know about the Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette case
• Derek Saretzky charged in slayings of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father

The public became aware of the case when an Amber Alert was issuedfor the toddler last week.

RCMP had been called to her father's home in Blairmore around 11a.m. MT on Sept. 14after a family memberdiscovered Terry Blanchette'sbody. That's when they discovered the younggirl 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 laidthe next day.

Hailey's father and mother had shared custody, and Blanchettehad 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,CheyenneDunbar, hassaid she was friends withSaretzkywhen she lived in the area, but hadn't spoken to him in three years.

• Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette's mother talks about Alberta toddler's slaying

Saretzky has hired Edmontonlawyer Peter Northcott. His appearance on Sept. 30will be via CCTV.