Law officers in Whitefish have arrested a Canadian man who crossed into Montana after allegedly abducting his 3-year-old son.

Robert Barnett was arrested early Friday morning after an Amber Alert had been issued on Thursday.

Barnett allegedly abducted his son, Alvin, on Thursday during a supervised visit in Fernie, British Columbia, and then crossed into Montana at the Port of Roosville near Eureka at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. 

At that time the Amber Alert was issued, the child was believed to be in imminent danger.

According to Flathead County Undersheriff Dave Leib, Barnett was arrested in his vehicle at 6:45 a.m. Friday in Whitefish.

The child was safely taken into the custody of the Department of Family Services.

Leib said Barnett approached a man Thursday outside the Pin and Cue in Whitefish to ask for money and to use the man’s cellphone. The man agreed to buy Barnett breakfast the following morning and let Barnett sleep in his car outside his Whitefish home.

On Friday morning, the man realized Barnett was the subject of an Amber Alert and called 911.

Barnett was arrested without incident by Whitefish Police Department officers and Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies.

Barnett likely will face charges in Canada, but initially he has been charged in Flathead County for the purposes of holding him. Leib said he believes those local charges are fugitive from justice and custodial interference.

“What is worked out between the county attorney’s office and the (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is yet to be known, we’re working on that. I don’t know when his return will be or what the circumstances will be,” Leib said. “I’ve talked to the Canadian consulate and they’re working on the details.”

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.