U.S. judge rules Dawn Walker to be returned to Canadian officials

Walker waived a formal extradition process, which would have been lengthy

Dawn Walker is accused of illegally taking her son out of Canada. Photo: APTN News file

A Saskatoon woman who was arrested in Oregon after allegedly using false identification to cross the border with her seven-year-old son is to be returned to Canada.

Judge Stacie F. Beckerman of the U.S. District Court in Oregon ordered that Dawn Marie Walker, 48, be returned to Canadian officials Wednesday.

The prosecution and defence both consented to Walker’s return to Canada after the Okanese First Nation woman waived a formal extradition process, which would likely be lengthy.

READ MORE: Indigenous women’s groups pushing to bring Dawn Walker home

Scott Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, told the court that returning Walker to Canada is in the best interest for both countries.

Walker is to be released to special agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

The agents are to drive her to the Canadian border where she is to be released to officials and answer to charges laid by the Saskatoon Police Service, which include public mischief and child abduction in contravention of a custody order.

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