Canada-wide warrant issued after alleged parental abduction of 5-year-old; child believed to be in Colombia

A Durham Regional Police patch is shown in Bowmanville, Ont. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

Durham Regional Police say a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 41-year-old woman wanted for an alleged parental abduction.

In a release on Wednesday, Durham police say officers with their Central West Division began an investigation into an alleged parental abduction involving a 5-year-old child and his mother in August of 2024.

Police say the mother had taken the child to Colombia and is now refusing to return him to Canada.

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for her arrest as a result. Patricia Montero-Zambrano, 41, is wanted for abduction by parent/custody order.

Police say efforts are underway to retrieve the child from Colombia and ensure his safe return to his father in Canada.

Durham police said no pictures of Montero-Zambrano or the 5-year-old boy are available at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Durham police at 905-579-1520 ext. 1829, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.