U.S. charges dismissed in Dawn Walker case

Dawn Walker’s criminal charges are behind her after a U.S. court made the decision to dismiss her case.

Last week, the 49-year-old Saskatoon woman pleaded guilty to parental abduction in contravention of a custody order, possession of forged documents, and making a false written statement to procure a passport.

Walker and her child disappeared from Saskatoon in the summer of 2022. Her truck and belongings were found at a park near the river, prompting a very costly and intensive search of the area.

Walker and her child were ultimately found in Oregon City, where she was arrested. According to an agreed statement of facts read in court, Walker had planned the abduction for months, purchased a truck for $10,000 and applied for passports using a fake name.

At the time of her arrest, Walker was found with several fake documents, including passports and COVID-19 vaccine letters.

“I apologize to my friends and family for the pain I have caused them,” the author and FSIN executive said during her sentencing hearing.

In addition to the Canadian charges, for which Walker received a 12-month conditional sentence and 18 months of probation, she was also facing a pair of charges in the United States related to identity fraud for crossing the border using false documents.

According to The Canadian Press, those charges were dismissed based on a request by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which said dropping the charges was in the interest of justice based on Walker’s plea and sentencing in Canada.

–With files from The Canadian Press