Missing woman Dawn Walker and child found safe after they 'illegally entered the United States': police

Dawn Walker and her childhavebeenlocated alive in Oregonafter illegally entering the U.S., according to police.

"Both are reported to be safe and well. Agency representatives are currently working out the details of arranging for their return to Canada," a press release from the Saskatoon Police Service said.

They said the mother-child duo were located late Friday morning in collaborationwith the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Officials are still working out how to return the child to a legal guardian while Walker is in custody.

"U.S. authorities are considering the implications and any potential action as a result of an illegal entry into the US. Pending any action by U.S. authorities Dawn Walker will be returned to Saskatoon to meet with investigators," police said.

Walker's mother said she was elated to hear her daughter and grandchild werefound safe.

"Our prayers have been answered. The past 15 days have been extremely difficult on our family and community. We are extremely thankful to all those who helped with the search efforts " said Theresa Walker in a written statement."... we will continue to support [Walker]through this future challenge."

A mysterious disappearance

Walker, 48-year-old member of theOkanese First Nation, was firstreported missing to police on July 24 after her friends and family hadn't heard from her a behaviour described as out of character.She had been last seen onJuly 22 at abusiness on the 300 block of Owen Manor in Saskatoon.

On July 25, police found Walker's truck and other personal belongings at Chief Whitecap Park,just south of Saskatoon near the South Saskatchewan River. Police learned someone in the area had found Walker's purse acouple of days earlier.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) repeatedly called on the public to help, and implored the police to conduct a thorough investigation.The father of the childhad also appealed to the public for help, "desperately begging" people to spread the word about his child's disappearance.

Volunteers, family, friends and policespent days searching for Walker and her child in the Saskatoon area by land, air and water.

Even though Walker and her child have been found, Saskatoon police are still askinganyone with information related to this investigation to call their local police detachment or Crime Stoppers.Saskatoon police said that they will release more information on Monday.

'Many complex issues'

Walkeris the executive operating officerof the FSIN, the organizationrepresenting 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. She is also awell-known author who was recently nominated for a national book award.

Spokespeople for the FSIN declined CBC's request for an interview after Walker and her child were found, but the organizationreleased a writtenstatement.

"At FSIN we know why First Nations women go missing and recognize that there are many complex issues that surround their disappearances. This is clearly the case with Dawn and her [child]and we will be closely following the legal process with more details on this case eventually being made public," saidFSINvice-chief Heather Bear.

Family fundraiser

OnFriday afternoon, members of the child's family updated theirGoFundMe page that was raising money to help the missing persons search.

"Thanks everyone for your support! Our family is ecstatic," it now reads.

They have halted new donations, capping the total raisedat$46,575.

"After reimbursing outstanding poster costs and setting aside funds for a potential reward, we will decide on how to distribute the remaining funds to support efforts to find other missing children and support other families of missing children," their statement said.