Police recover abducted Oregon girl 12 hours after suspect assaults sister

Violet Hay was found safe and alive at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, more than 12 hours after she was reported missing from her home in Canby, Oregon.

Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez announced the discovery during a press conference. He noted that a suspect was taken into custody at a residence in Oregon City when a SWAT team surrounded the building.

Officers responded to an apartment complex in Canby around 1:47 a.m. on Wednesday. Investigators determined that an unknown male entered the unit at approximately 1:39 a.m. He assaulted the 12-year-old sister and abducted Violet by force.

Clackamas County chief deputy district attorney Chris Owen stated that the 12-year-old girl was transported to a local hospital and remained under treatment. Canby Police Capt. James Murphy described the investigation as dynamic while authorities interviewed family members and collected surveillance footage.

Local and state authorities, along with the FBI, assisted in the search. Police thanked the agencies for their help in locating the girl well. The suspect's case file will go to the district attorney's office Thursday morning for a charging decision.

Canby School District increased the police presence at Carus Elementary School for Wednesday's dismissal. The district urged families to stay connected with their children and report new information to investigators.

People with tips are asked to call Oregon State Police at 1-800-442-0776 and reference Canby Police Department case No. 26-021300. Canby sits about 25 miles south of downtown Portland.