Image Credit: Global Okanagan

By Ashley Legassic

Child Snatching

Former Kamloops Blazer charged in connection to alleged child snatching in Kelowna

Apr 30, 2019 | 11:31 AM

KELOWNA — A man who allegedly grabbed a baby before stripping down and jumping into Okanagan Lake over the weekend has been charged.

Harold Giffen Clarkson Nyren, 30, is facing charges of assault and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

The man, also known as Giffen Nyren, played with the Kamloops Blazers during 2008 and 2009 and the latest statistics from Elite Prospects show Nyren played with the Lacombe Generals for the 2018/19 season in the Allan Cup Hockey West.

According to online court documents, Nyren was due in Kelowna court Tuesday morning (April 30).

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Canada invests billions into AI job creation

14h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Gleaning Abundance Program adapting to climate change

17h ago

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of May 13

May 18, 2024

Kelowna RCMP say in a news release that on April 28 just before 2:30 p.m. police converged on Kerry Park for a report of an assault and a disturbance at the location.

Witnesses told police the man allegedly grabbed onto a small child being held by its mother.

After a struggle, the suspect allegedly jumped naked into Okanagan Lake and swam away before being apprehended.

The child was uninjured, police said, and was taken to hospital to be examined.

Lacombe Generals GM Jeff McInnis says Nyren has been dealing with depression.

“He isn’t in a good spot. That’s why he wasn’t able to finish the season with us,” McInnis shared, adding the Generals are willing to offer any support they can to Nyren.

“He’s a young man in need of help, so we’re going to try to help him.”

– With files from Troy Gillard, rdnewsNOW.