Winnipeg police say a two-year-old boy has been found safe after an Amber Alert was issued on Feb. 27, 2026.
What happened
Police were called to a home on Chesterfield Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. when the child’s mother reported a violent dispute with two women. Officers say a weapon was used and the mother was assaulted. Because of the threat to the child, authorities issued an Amber Alert at 12:59 p.m., asking the public to be on the lookout.
How the child was recovered
Public tips poured in quickly. Sightings traced the suspects to a taxi that stopped near McPhillips Street and Logan Avenue. A member of the public who had seen the alert recognized the pair and the toddler, intervened, and kept the child safe in their vehicle until officers arrived. General Patrol units reached the scene about 1:35 p.m., took the child into custody and arrested two women at a strip mall in the 300 block of McPhillips Street. The boy was checked at hospital and is reported to be unharmed.
Who was arrested and the charges
Police identified the suspects as Caitlin Cassandra Monkman, 30, and Kineisha Rose Jawbone, 25. Monkman faces charges including abduction of a person under 14, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, and failing to comply with a probation order. Jawbone faces abduction- and weapons-related charges, as well as allegations of carrying a concealed weapon, failing to comply with a conditional sentence order, and possession of methamphetamine; a small quantity of drugs was seized during processing. Investigators say neither woman is related to the child; they were known to each other.
Investigation under way
The Major Crimes Unit has taken over the probe. Investigators are reviewing video footage, transaction and travel records, and conducting interviews with witnesses and the people involved to determine what led to the confrontation and the child’s removal. No motive has been publicly released and police say further charges could follow as evidence is examined.
Role of the Amber Alert and public response
Police and emergency managers noted how the Amber Alert system pushes urgent notices to phones, broadcast outlets and highway signs, widening the chance someone nearby will spot a child or suspect vehicle. In this case, rapid public sharing and dozens of tips helped pinpoint the suspects’ movements and led directly to the safe recovery. Authorities urged caregivers to report threats immediately and encouraged people to take alerts seriously and pass on any useful information to police.
Next steps
The Major Crimes Unit will continue collecting forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses and tipsters. Police are coordinating with prosecutors as they build the case; updates will be released as the investigation progresses. The child’s identity is being withheld to protect his privacy.