Authorities located 10-year-old Violet Hay hours after her reported abduction and took a suspect into custody Wednesday.
CANBY, OR — A 10-year-old girl reported kidnapped from her Canby apartment early Wednesday was found later that day at an Oregon City residence, where authorities arrested a man identified as the prime suspect, officials said.
Violet Hay was located after a search involving Canby police, Oregon State Police, the FBI, the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team and other regional law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Marshals Service said Vince Edgar Chavez was arrested Oct. 28 in the 500 block of Pleasant Avenue in Oregon City. Violet was taken to a medical facility for treatment of injuries and further evaluation.
The investigation began at about 1:47 a.m. Wednesday, when Canby police responded to an apartment complex in southeast Canby after receiving a report of a kidnapping. Investigators said an unidentified man reportedly entered an apartment at about 1:39 a.m., assaulted a 12-year-old child and abducted Violet. Police initially said they did not know where she had been taken.
Authorities spent much of the day interviewing family members, canvassing the neighborhood and seeking surveillance footage that could help identify the person responsible and determine where Violet had been taken. Police said both of her parents were cooperating with investigators. The FBI, Oregon State Police and detectives and forensic personnel from the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team assisted the investigation.
During the initial search, authorities released Violet’s name, photograph and description to the public. Police said she was 5 feet tall, weighed about 125 pounds and had last been seen wearing a green shirt and black shorts. The Canby School District identified her as a student at Carus Elementary School and increased the police presence at the school during dismissal as the search continued.
The U.S. Marshals Service said its Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force was asked to help locate Violet and arrest a person of interest. Authorities eventually focused on the Oregon City residence. The task force worked with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, Oregon City police, a Washington County tactical negotiations team and the FBI during the operation.
According to the Marshals Service, officers entered the residence as Chavez attempted to leave through the rear of the home. He was arrested without further incident. Authorities then located Violet inside the residence. The Marshals Service said she had been restrained in a closet before officers found her. She was transported for medical treatment and evaluation.
District of Oregon Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Eddie Sanchez credited cooperation among the agencies involved with helping recover the child. Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez also confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Violet had been found safe, ending the hourslong search that began before dawn.
Officials had not announced formal criminal charges against Chavez in the information available Wednesday night, and authorities had not released a motive or described any relationship, if one existed, between him and Violet. Those details remained part of the continuing investigation. Authorities also had not publicly provided additional information about the condition of the 12-year-old child who police said was assaulted during the reported abduction.
Violet remained in medical care for evaluation after her recovery, according to authorities. Chavez was in custody as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the reported kidnapping and the events leading to Violet’s recovery in Oregon City.
Author note: Last updated October 28, 2026.