Man helped friend abduct kids, police say

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This article was published 17/09/2011 (5451 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A third man is being sought by police in connection with the abduction of two local children.

Police said Friday they’ve issued a Canada-wide warrant for a 41-year-old man in relation to the disappearance of Dominic Maryk, 10, and Abby Maryk, 9. They were taken in 2008 by their father Kevin Maryk, said police, and Robert Groen is accused of helping him. Groen hasn’t been seen since February and isn’t believed to be in Canada, said police.

The children’s mother Emily Cablek recently launched a fundraising campaign to try to track down her kids. She says she wants her children returned to her and is worried about what kind of lifestyle they’ve been immersed in out of her care.

“Let the kids come home and have a regular childhood, let them be kids,” said Cablek. “Let them have everything they deserve in life.”

Kevin Maryk and Groen met years ago when they lived in a Portage Avenue apartment, said Cablek.

She said she hasn’t seen Groen since 2005, and she has “no idea” why he’d help Maryk.

“Kevin picks his people wisely, I guess,” she said. She also said: “I’ve gotten so used to hearing bad news, which is horrible.”

After the children’s disappearance, police also issued a Canada-wide warrant for Kevin Maryk’s nephew Cody McKay, who was believed to be an accomplice to the kidnapping.

Groen has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (abduction). He’s 5-9 and weighs 160 pounds.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca