Children allegedly abducted by their mother in Ontario last year spotted in Manitoba: RCMP

Manitoba RCMP is asking for the public's help locating three children first abducted in Ontario.

Early Sunday morning, Boissevain RCMP were alerted by U.S. officials that a vehicle with a woman and three children had attempted to enter the United States at the border crossing south of the town.

Astrid Schiller, 55, was found with her three sons: Leon, 12, Christopher, 11 and Thomas, 9. The children were reported missing late last year from Durham, Ont.

Durham Regional Police issued a warrant for Schiller's arrest in late January. At the time, police said an investigation regarding the whereabouts of the three children and their mother began in December 2023. They say that there had been no safety concerns for the children. But, despite being in contact with the mother, police say investigators were unable to locate her or the children. 

Astrid Schiller, 55, is wanted by RCMP for allegedly abducting her three children from Ontario. (RCMP handout)

Schiller was arrested at the border crossing on an outstanding warrant for child abduction from the Durham Regional Police. However, she was later released from custody as the warrant was not extended into Manitoba.

Mounties said the children were not harmed when they were found at the Boissevain port of entry, and were taken into care at a residence in Forrest, Man.

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. Monday, Blue Hills RCMP learned the children had gone missing again.

"It's believed the mother was able to determine their location and picked them up," RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Paul Manaigre told CTV News. "At this point, we're still searching for the three missing boys."

Manaigre said an Amber Alert hasn't been issued because Mounties aren't concerned for the children's well-being.

"There's a lot of criteria involved in an Amber Alert," Manaigre explained. "Investigators are currently reviewing it on an ongoing basis. If information comes out that things change and perhaps it's needed, we could take that avenue. But at this point, we don't believe it's a requirement."

RCMP believe Schiller is driving a white 2018 Mercedes GLC with British Columbia license plate SJ9-75W. 

A stock photo showing a 2018 Mercedes GLC similar to the one Astrid Schiller may be driving. (RCMP handout)

"Let's be mindful though that she may be attempting to perhaps mask the identity of the vehicle by switching plates," Manaigre said.

He said, as of Tuesday afternoon, RCMP were unsure if Schiller and the three boys were still in Manitoba.

"She could be travelling westbound, she may have returned back to Ontario. There are a lot of options you're looking at."

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP or local police.