Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez announced that 10-year-old Violet Hay had been found safe after a harrowing overnight search.
Violet, 10, was abducted from her Oregon home around 1:47 a.m. Wednesday by an intruder who attacked her 12-year-old sister with a hammer before fleeing with the younger girl, according to authorities. The suspect, Vince Edgar Chavez, was arrested after a SWAT team located Violet tied up inside a closet at a residence roughly 9 miles away in Oregon City, some 13 hours after she was taken.
“Folks, I have great news — we found her safe and alive,” Gonzalez announced to applause during a briefing on the rescue. The chief, who did not disclose whether Chavez was known to the Hay family, had been visibly shaken by the case. “As a parent, I was anxious… I’m so glad that we found her alive and well.”
The initial 911 call described the abductor as an “unknown male,” according to officials. As investigators canvassed the neighborhood and gathered surveillance footage from nearby cameras, the girls’ parents cooperated fully with the effort to locate Violet and identify her captor.
Chris Owens, chief deputy district attorney for Clackamas County, delivered stark words about the crime’s impact. “A young child … was taken by force. Her sister was viciously assaulted,” he said. Owens called the entire ordeal “a family’s worst nightmare.” The 12-year-old sister was being treated at a local hospital for her injuries.
Chavez was taken into custody by the US Marshals Service. He has not yet been formally charged with any crimes, and Owens said the case will be referred to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office to determine what charges may be brought.
The arrest came after law enforcement descended on the Oregon City residence where Chavez was living. His roommate, who was showering when police burst in, later told KATU that he had been completely unaware that Violet was being hidden inside the home.
The roommate expressed disgust and devastation over what had occurred under his roof. He said Chavez had not displayed any concerning behavior prior to the alleged kidnapping, leaving him shocked by the revelation.
The swift resolution of the search drew relief from community members and officials alike, though many questions about Chavez’s motives and any potential connection to the Hay family remained unanswered. Law enforcement has not released additional details about how the suspect was identified or what led the SWAT team to the Oregon City address.
Violet’s rescue concluded an intensive multi-agency operation that spanned from the early morning hours through late afternoon, with Canby police coordinating the search across Clackamas County.
The case now moves toward prosecution as investigators continue compiling evidence against Chavez.