Distraught mother pleads for return of her children

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This article was published 13/08/2009 (6194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SOMETIMES she doesn’t want to get out of bed, weighed down by grief over her two missing children.

It’s why Emily Cablek of Winnipeg pleaded publicly for a 20-year-old man Wednesday to help secure their return.

After the children’s biological father, Kevin Douglas Maryk, made off last August with eight-year-old Dominic Maryk and six-year-old Abby Maryk, police say they still need more information to find the kidnapped children.

On Wednesday, Cablek said she believes a nephew of her former common-law husband has information that could lead her to the kids. Cody McKay, 20, has not been seen since the children did not show up after a two-week scheduled visit with Kevin Maryk.

Police said McKay is believed to be an accomplice to the kidnapping.

"Cody has always been a really good kid," said Cablek, who said she believes he’s following his uncle’s behaviour.

"I just hope that he doesn’t want to destroy his life by keeping my kids away from me and also destroying my kids’ life, which will impact them forever."

Cablek said she feels "lost" and misses singing her two children to sleep, among other things.

McKay and Kevin Maryk are wanted on Canada-wide warrants in connection with Abby and Dominic’s disappearance.

Police said they believe the men may be in contact with people in Winnipeg, or getting money or places to stay while Kevin Maryk illegally harbours the kids.

No one in McKay’s family has reported him missing, said police.

Police are hoping the case will be profiled on a high-profile U.S. television show, America’s Most Wanted.

Det. Sgt. Clyde Raven of the Winnipeg Police Service missing persons unit said Kevin Maryk allegedly made money by dealing drugs, and could be putting his children at risk by his lifestyle.

Police said the man and the children are likely no longer in Manitoba, and the kidnapping was likely planned.

After the children’s disappearance, officers found his St. James home empty.

The children were last seen at a car rental agency on King Edward Street on Aug. 19, 2008.

Police are requesting assistance from media agencies across North America to publicize the disappearance of the children.

"Right now, there’s no specific place that we want to look at," said Raven.

"We don’t want to narrow our search, we want to keep it broad because we don’t know where they are right now."

Child Find Manitoba is also publicizing the children’s disappearance. Organization director Christy Dzikowicz said the kidnapping was motivated by anger and did not consider the children’s best interests.

Cablek and Kevin Maryk were involved in a lengthy custody dispute over the children before their disappearance.

In January 2007, a court ruled Cablek had primary care of the children and their father had visitation rights.

Maryk is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, though Cablek said his weight fluctuates.

He has a fair complexion and hazel eyes, and had a goatee and a shaved head in August 2008.

McKay is described as Caucasian, five-foot-four, and 160 pounds. He has a dark complexion and brown eyes.

A warrant has been issued for Maryk for two counts of abduction in contravention of a court order and two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

A warrant has been issued for McKay for two counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. Police are asking anyone with information to call the Missing Persons Unit at 986-6250, the non-emergency line at 986-6222 or anonymously at CrimeStoppers at 786-8477 (TIPS).

Information can also be provided to Child Find at 1-800-532-9135.

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca