News release

Statement on child kidnapping investigation provided by the Commanding Officer of the Yukon RCMP at a media availability held July 23, 2025

July 24, 2025 - Whitehorse, Yukon
From: Yukon RCMP

Content

Thank you for joining me here on short notice.

I am here today to provide a significant update to inform Yukoners that during the evening of July 22, members of the investigative team, with the assistance of the Yukon RCMP Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services, arrested a male in relation to the child kidnapping investigation that began on July 20.

29-year-old, Cameron David Penner, of Whitehorse has been charged with kidnapping and other very serious related offences.

To respect the privacy of the victim, we are not releasing further details surrounding the other related offences. Mr. Penner made his first court appearance at 4 pm today, in Whitehorse, and was remanded into custody. His next appearance will be in Whitehorse, which is to be determined at this time.

Yukon RCMP previously confirmed information circulating on social media of another child who was present in the suspect’s vehicle during the incident. Yukon RCMP can confirm that child has been located and identified, and that the child is safe. To protect the privacy of that child, no further information will be shared surrounding their identification.

We are aware there has been questions around public notification including the use of Amber Alert.

Public notification and request for public assistance can be accomplished either through a police initiated public alert, and / or Yukon government led alert notifications which can include notifications such as ‘Amber Alert’.

However, it is important to note that the information available to police during this specific missing person investigation did not meet the established criteria for RCMP to request the Yukon Government to issue an Amber Alert.

While there were considerations for an RCMP issued public notification, through news media and social media about the missing child, which was underway prior to the child being located, it was not required.

Our information and requests to the public for information were completed while balancing a number a factors including risk to public safety, privacy of the impacted persons and overall integrity of that information and evidence.

As related in previous media releases and availability, the RCMP responded immediately and have remained heavily engaged in this incident from that time, and are still so engaged at the time of writing as this matter continues to be investigated and is before the Yukon courts.

Yukon RCMP wish to thank the public for their assistance in providing video surveillance and contacting police with information which led to the identification and arrest of the suspect.

Yukon RCMP wish to acknowledge how this incident has impacted the victim, their family and loved ones, and wish to remind the public that the family is requesting privacy during this difficult time and we ask media to refrain from contacting them.

Yukon RCMP also wish to acknowledge how this event has impacted the community and sense of safety for Yukoners. We want to assure that public safety is always at the forefront for the RCMP and we will continue to work with relevant communities and safety partners in extending supports in the coming days and beyond. 

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