Pubdate: Sat, 1 Dec 2007
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Brett Clarkson

RETURN ALANA, COPS PLEAD

Tot, 5, Taken While Couple Out on Bail in Grow-Op Case:
Police

A 5-year-old girl who was seized by Children's Aid in March from an
alleged marijuana grow-op house was still missing yesterday after
police say she was abducted by her parents the day before.

Toronto police yesterday pleaded for Peter and Vivene Livas to return
their daughter Alana Livas to a safe location -- a police station,
hospital or Children's Aid Society (CAS) facility.

Toronto Police Supt. Bob Qualtrough said yesterday the parents were
out on bail from charges in connection with the alleged grow op. On
Thursday, during a supervised visit with little Alana at a Kennedy Rd.
CAS office, police allege mom Vivene Livas took Alana from the care of
her aunt and got into a car driven by her husband.

Requires Vitamins

The car drove off, and Qualtrough said yesterday cops have no leads as
to where the family might be. The child was being cared for by the
aunt, who is a relative of Vivene Livas, Qualtrough said. He said the
aunt was surprised by the alleged abduction and is upset about the
whole situation.

He added police don't believe Alana is in imminent danger, but said
the child should be taking vitamin supplements and that her parents
might not be aware of her need for the vitamins.

"What we have found out today is that the child, Alana, is supposed to
take vitamins -- vitamin D and calcium. It's not medication but it is
a vitamin supplement that she should be taking, and we're not sure if
her parents are aware of that fact," Qualtrough said.

No Amber Alert

Qualtrough said CAS took care of the child in March after a
marijuana-growing operation was allegedly found in a Scarborough house
where the child had been living with her parents.

Because police don't fear for the child's immediate danger, an Amber
Alert hasn't been issued, Qualtrough said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake