Jackson makes first court appearance to face abduction charge

Dressed in an orange jumpsuit with his mask sitting under his nose, Michael Gordon Jackson — the anti-vax father accused of abducting his seven-year-old daughter — made his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Tuesday.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Jackson on Jan. 21, after he failed to bring his daughter back to her mother, Mariecar Jackson, after a scheduled visit in November.

Mariecar, who has full custody of the girl, alleged her ex-husband failed to bring their daughter back because he did not want her to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

After a search of more than three months, the RCMP announced Thursday that officers in Vernon, B.C., had found Jackson’s daughter safe and sound, parked in a vehicle with her father outside a business in that community.

Michael Jackson — who hails from Carievale, roughly 100 kilometres east of Estevan — is facing a charge of abduction in contravention of a custody or parenting order.

In his court appearance on Tuesday, the 52-year-old had no legal representation and said he was looking to get help from Legal Aid.

Jackson is expected to remain in custody as the Crown opposed his release.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.