Arrest warrant issued for high-risk sex offender who abducted 3-year-old in 2011

A man who made national headlines in 2011 for abducting a three-year-old Sparwood, B.C. boy from his bed is now the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant after he failed to return to his halfway house.

Randall Hopley was last seen Saturday at 3 p.m. He has a history of sexual assault, assault, and property crime convictions. As well, Vancouver Police say he has committed three offences of a sexual nature against children in the past.

Hopley is 5’9″ and 176 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black coat, black hat, and black pants.

In September 2011, the boy disappeared from his home, triggering an Amber Alert that lasted for four days. He was then returned to his home, unharmed, just as mysteriously as he had disappeared.

A massive manhunt for the child’s abductor ensued, and several days later, Mounties arrested Hopley near the B.C.-Alberta border.

Although he pleaded guilty to abducting the boy in 2011 and has since served his sentence, Hopley has had trouble complying with supervision orders.

Earlier this year, the National Parole Board recommended criminal charges against him after he was caught in a public library, just a meter away from some children.

The board says a long-term supervision order was needed for Hopley because he was an untreated sex offender with a high risk of reoffending.

Police are asking anyone who sees him or has any information about his whereabouts to call 911 immediately.

With files from Renee Bernard and The Canadian Press.