Jan. 21, 2001

Children Found

City Pulse 24, Toronto

In a Citytv exclusive, a tip received by "Silverman Helps" has led to the recovery of triplets abducted over three months ago. The children have been reunited with their father in Mexico.

The drama began Oct. 14 when the triplets were taken from their grandmother's home near Stratford, Ont. According to police, the children's estranged mother, Carline Vandenelsen, planned the abduction for months, possibly even years.

Stratford Police, the RCMP, the Canadian government, and CityTV all became involved in the search. A website was set up but there was no word on the children's whereabouts for months. City's "Silverman Helps" got a lead which Stratford Police followed up on. The kids were seen in Mexico in the company of a man.

The triplets were retrieved by Mexican authorities with assistance from staff at the Canadian Embassy and are now with their father. Carline Vandenelsen surrendered to Mexican authorities and could be extradited to Canada to face abduction charges.

Copyright 2000 CHUM Limited