An Edmonton father, previously reported missing along with his young son and daughter five weeks ago, is now sought after for alleged child abduction charges. The Edmonton Police Service revealed in a recent news release that Canada-wide warrants have been issued for 42-year-old Scot Macdermid on two counts of abduction in violation of a custody order. This charge is applied when a parent or guardian is accused of unlawfully taking or concealing a child under 14 years old against a court custody or parenting order.
Macdermid faces one count for the reported abduction of his son, George, aged 6, and another count for the alleged abduction of his daughter, Lesley, aged 9. The charges were officially filed on September 4, according to court records. Authorities are actively seeking public assistance in locating Macdermid and his children.
The case of the missing children was initially brought to light on September 8 when Edmonton Police issued a public plea to find Macdermid and his two children. Macdermid was last seen at Manning Town Centre, a shopping complex in northeast Edmonton, on August 28. Subsequent investigations revealed that Macdermid and his children were spotted in Lloydminster, a city straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, on the same day. However, their whereabouts beyond the border city remain unknown.
In a statement released on Wednesday, police clarified that the current investigation does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert at this time. Staff Sgt. Robert Davis from the EPS Child Protection Section emphasized that the top priority remains locating Lesley and George safely. Authorities must have reasonable grounds to believe that a child has been abducted and is in immediate physical danger to issue an Amber Alert in Canada.
Court records indicate that Macdermid had been embroiled in a custody dispute with the children’s mother, centering on whether the children should reside with him in the Dominican Republic or with her in Alberta. A 2024 Alberta Court of Appeal ruling highlighted the contentious separation process marked by custody conflicts between the parents. The decision detailed their history of living in both Edmonton and the Dominican Republic, with Macdermid being a Canadian-born businessman with interests in Alberta and the Dominican Republic, while the children’s mother, a permanent resident of Canada since 2018, hails from the Dominican Republic.
The court documented instances of domestic violence allegations, temporary reconciliations, and disputes over custody and international travel concerning the children. Macdermid’s legal battles included previous charges of breaching a protection order and criminal harassment, which were later withdrawn. The ongoing search for Macdermid, described as 5’5″ tall, around 160 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, continues as authorities express concerns for the well-being of his children. Individuals with any information on Macdermid and his children’s whereabouts are urged to contact Edmonton police or Crime Stoppers, emphasizing that approaching Macdermid and the children directly is not advised.