Grandparents took girl, 7, to Turkey, father alleges
A Calgary father is working with law enforcement to get his daughter back to Canada after learning she was taken to Turkey by her maternal grandparents.
Justin Coutts said his daughter, Teaghan, 7, and her grandparents are missing, and he has received information they recently travelled to Turkey.
Coutts said while he has primary custody of Teaghan, her maternal grandparents are allowed time with her on weekends and during the summer months. Teaghan's mother died when the girl was seven months old and Coutts said he has been in a custody battle with the grandparents ever since.
The grandparents were supposed to take her on a nine-day visit to Ontario earlier this month. Coutts said when they contacted him to say they'd be extending the visit by another nine days, he became concerned and contacted police.
The Calgary Police Service confirmed officers are investigating a child custody dispute between family members and the domestic conflict unit is engaged.
In a letter from a CPS detective to Service Canada shared with Postmedia by Coutts, police allege Teaghan's grandmother fraudulently obtained a passport for the child in February.
It also says investigators have confirmed the grandparents and Teaghan left the country on July 8 on a direct flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
Coutts said he is now working with CPS, RCMP and Global Affairs Canada to find his daughter. A Gofundme has been set up to help with anticipated legal and travel costs.