Mother of murdered toddler says she has not spoken to Amber Alert accused in years

The mother of murdered two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette says she hasn’t spoken to the accused in three years.

RCMP have charged Derek Saretzky, 22, of Blairmore, Alta. with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 27-year-old Terry Blanchette and his daughter Hailey.

He is also charged with one count of committing an indignity to a human body after Hailey’s remains were found on Tuesday night in a rural area near Blairmore, 220 km south of Calgary.

“I don’t know why anyone would do that to her. I don’t know why,” Cheyenne Dunbar told media while fighting back tears on Wednesday.

Dunbar, 20, said she and Saretzky were never in a relationship but were “great friends” and described him as a great kid.

“It tears me apart knowing friends would do something like that,” she said.

“It tears me apart knowing friends would do something like that.”- Cheyenne Dunbar

“I completely forgot about Derek. He was nothing after I left.”

The tragedy began to unfold early Monday morning when Hailey’s father, Blanchette, was killed in his home. His daughter was taken away in a speeding white van, which police say they have now recovered.

Dunbar said Blanchette was a great father to Hailey. Photos of the two show a father’s love for his little girl.

The two shared custody of her and maintained a good relationship after separating. Dunbar, who lived in Blairmore, had recently moved to Edmonton.  

“She was my baby and I don’t know why anyone would do this to her.”