Man charged after 6 children missing from Calgary found in Bowmanville

Six children who were reported missing in Calgary were found inBowmanville, Ont., on Wednesday evening by aDurham regional police officer.

The officer discovered the children after approaching a green SUV with an Alberta licence plate in the area of Waverly and Baseline roads.

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"[It was] very alert of him, actually. He came across the vehicle in a parking lot and thought it was a bit suspicious, and the plate came back to a parental abduction investigation," said Durham police Sgt.Bill Calder.

The children were reported missing onMonday, saidthe Calgary Police Service. It received a report from a woman who believed her common-law partner had left the province with her six children.

Calgary police said the case did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.

Caldersaid a 49-year-old manfrom Calgarywas arrested on a Canada-wide warrant and is being held for a bail hearing.

Children in good condition

Calgary police said in a news conference that the man had been charged with six counts of child abduction.

"I can't confirm that he is the father of the children," said Calgary police Sgt. Darren Smith. "I can only confirm that he is not their legal guardian," later adding that the man had been taking care of the children in Calgary while their mother was away.

Police said thatthe man had been in touch with one of their partner organizations by email after leaving Calgary, reducing concern about the children's safety.

Hisname is not being released to protect the identity of thesix children.

"Our role now is to bring him before our court for a bail hearing to address which methods we will use to bring him back [to Alberta]," Smith said.

Police worked with the Durham Children's Aid Society to bring the children, who range in age from 18 months to 11 years,to a safe location.

The childrenare in good condition, Calder said.