‘Her dad was the highlight of her life’: Godmother pleads for missing Alberta girl’s return

UPDATE 9 P.M. MT: Remains of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette found, Amber Alert dropped

CALGARY – Devastated by the murder of her close friend, the godmother of abducted two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, missing since the early hours of Monday morning, made an emotional plea for the young girl’s safe return Tuesday.

“We miss you, Hailey, and we can’t wait–we can’t wait to have you come home and we can have your snuggles and your laughs and just hear your voice,” said Rebecca Harrington, who said she’s close friends with both sides of the family. “Your dad loves you very much–loves you more than anything in the world, sweetheart. And we can’t wait for you to come home.”

Hailey’s dad, 27-year-old Terry Blanchette, was found murdered in the family home in Blairmore, Alta. on Monday morning. One person has been arrested in relation to his murder and his daughter’s disappearance.

MORE: Man arrested, Amber Alert continues for Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette

“She’s the most energetic kid you’d ever see,” said Harrington. “She’s running, she’s laughing, she does a scrunchy-face…she scrunches up her nose and gets so excited,” she said.

“Her dad was the highlight of her life. That kid had everything she needed.”

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Harrington said she received a call from Hailey’s mother, Cheyenne Dunbar, in the early stages of the investigation. She said she started to hear rumours of murder, but “didn’t want to think the worst.”

“I got a call from Amanda, his sister, she called to tell me personally Terry had been murdered and Hailey was abducted,” said Harrington.

“I dropped to the floor and my life just–they mean so much to me. I wasn’t sure what to do.”

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Watch below: Video coverage of the abduction of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and murder of her father

Harrington said Blanchette was the “most outstanding single dad” she’s ever seen.

“He stepped up. He had a full-time job. He had two days off a week, and those two days were days for Hailey,” she said. “Any extra money went to her…he always put himself last.”

“I’ve seen such a change in the past two years that it’s incredible to see how he has evolved.”

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Blanchette had a minor criminal history, including assault and theft, according to Calgary court records. Most recently, he pleaded guilty to assault and theft under $5,000 in July 2013 and paid a fine.

READ MORE: What we know so far about Terry Blanchette and daughter Hailey

Harrington said she’s heading to be with Blanchette’s family. She said Dunbar is in Crowsnest Pass with her mother, doing “as best she can.”

“It’s scary. I’ve talked to her on the phone…it’s her daughter; it’s her baby. Her baby is missing and she doesn’t know why…the father of her child, dead–all in one go. And no one can say anything. No one has answers.”

Harrington said Blanchette and Dunbar were separated before Hailey was born, but got together briefly for their daughter’s sake.

“From then on out, it was quite a rocky relationship but they did it for Hailey. They wanted to make it work for her. They didn’t want her to have separated parents. They wanted their daughter to have her mom and dad but it just didn’t work. But for them, Hailey is their number one.”

Harrington said the couple had shared custody of Hailey.

The Amber Alert was dropped Tuesday night.

TIMELINE: Abduction of 2-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette

With an interview from Global’s Tracy Nagai