WATCH: While investigators are still combing a rural area outside of Calgary, Global News has more details about the “person of interest” in the case. Francis Silvaggio reports.
CALGARY- Parole documents obtained by Global News show a “person of interest” in the case of a missing Calgary family was not believed to be a risk to the public, despite serving months behind bars.
Five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathryn Liknes haven’t been seen since June 30, when Nathan’s mother dropped him off at their Parkhill home for a sleepover. Despite an Amber Alert and a days-long search of a property north of Calgary, there is still no sign of the family.
Timeline: Missing Calgary family Nathan O’Brien, Alvin and Kathryn Liknes
54-year-old Douglas Garland was taken in for questioning on Friday in connection with the case, but was released despite police saying he remains a person of interest. He appeared in court on Monday to face unrelated fraud charges.
Global News has learned that Alvin Liknes’ son is married to Garland’s sister. A family member says Liknes and Garland also had a falling out several years ago, after a business deal ended badly.
Garland was previously convicted for producing his own amphetamines, and served time in a federal prison. Documents obtained by Global News show that on June 19, 2000, the parole board hearing his application for accelerated parole determined he was not likely to commit a violent crime.
“While the weapons and assault charges are indicative that you may commit a violent offence, given that you are 40 years of age and have never incurred a conviction for violence and in the absence of documented indicators of a propensity for violence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe release is likely to result in a violent crime.
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“The Board is satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence involving violence before the expiration of your sentence, and directs your release.”
However, it did note concerns about his mental health leading to criminal activity in granting Garland’s day parole to a supervised facility in June.
“Concerns regarding mental issues have contributed to the property offences and close monitoring by a psychologist and psychiatrist will be required.”
A second review by the parole board on October 20, 2000 showed Garland’s mental health had stabilized.
“Your mental health is assessed as having stabilized and with close monitoring in the Community Residential Facility and by mental health professionals, you are assessed as a manageable risk.”
On Tuesday, police continued to search Garland’s property near Calgary for a fourth day.
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