A father’s persistent search for his three sons, missing since November in Ontario, is nearing a hopeful conclusion with their impending reunion.
His ex-wife, 55-year-old Astrid Schiller, faces accusations of abducting the boys—Leon, 12, Christopher, 11, and Thomas, 9. The family was reported missing in December.
Fast forward ten months, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police located Schiller in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, and took her into custody on September 26 for child abduction.
Schiller’s arrest stemmed from an unendorsed warrant from Manitoba, preventing her release on bail until she faces a judge. This serious charge reflects concerns about potential flight risks or danger to the public.
Following her arrest, she was held for a court appearance on September 27.
The children are now under protective care, with plans underway for their reunion with family in Ontario.
Boys Back in Protective Care
Authorities made a critical breakthrough in the search for Schiller when they received a tip at 2 a.m. on June 16, reporting her attempted border crossing into the U.S. during a tornado.
She was briefly detained in Manitoba, and while her children were initially taken into care, she was soon released due to jurisdictional issues with the Ontario warrant.
After her release, concerns arose that Schiller had tracked the foster home housing her sons, as Manitoba’s Child and Family Services does not confiscate children’s electronic devices.
Family handout
Law enforcement learned the boys were missing again soon after, leading to Schiller’s subsequent custody in Brandon.
Timeline of Events
On November 17, 2023, the father was returning to pick up his children after a prolonged period without contact due to an abuse allegation that had recently been dismissed in court, granting him shared custody.
“I called the school to let them know I was on my way with the court order. Someone warned her and she escaped with the kids just 20 minutes before I arrived.”
Following the incident, an arrest warrant was issued for Schiller on January 24, citing three counts of parental abduction and one count of defying a court order.
The RCMP noted several sightings of the family in June, yet the father’s knowledge of their whereabouts dwindled after that. Despite minimal updates from police, the father remains optimistic about reuniting with Leon, Christopher, and Thomas at long last.