Man charged after child reportedly held over Whistler, B.C., hotel balcony

Whistler Village is seen on in an Oct. 23, 2008 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

More than a year after a child was reportedly held over a hotel balcony in the B.C. resort community of Whistler, a suspect has been charged.

Authorities said the alarming incident unfolded on the evening of July 1, 2024, as people were out celebrating Canada Day.

Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP said officers were approached by worried onlookers who said they saw “a male holding a child over a balcony” somewhere along the Village Stroll.

“A female could be heard screaming and damage was occurring inside the hotel,” the detachment said Thursday, in a news release.

Officers initially apprehended two people under the Mental Health Act, and the child was given medical care, authorities said.

Last month, B.C. prosecutors approved charges of abandoning a child and failing to provide the necessaries of life against Jason Frost, a 45-year-old.

Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP has not provided any further details on Frost, except that he does not live in the community.

In a statement, Const. Antoine Graebling acknowledged “the impact the incident had on individuals who witnessed this unfold.”

“We are incredibly thankful for the multiple witnesses that alerted the RCMP, which enabled our officers to act swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation,” Graebling said. “Their co-operation and actions were key that day in saving a child’s life.”

The RCMP said it would not be providing any further details while the case is before the courts.