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UPDATE: Former Lacombe General charged in alleged B.C. baby snatching

Harold Giffen Clarkson Nyren is charged with assault and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer
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A former B.C. and Alberta hockey player who recently played for the Lacombe Generals during the 2018-19 season has been charged in connection with an alleged baby snatching incident in Kelowna Sunday.

Court files identify Harold Giffen Clarkson Nyren, 30, of Calgary, as having been charged with assault and wilfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

The incident unfolded Sunday afternoon when a man allegedly grabbed a small child being held by its mother on the waterfront at Kerry Park.

After a struggle the man then jumped into Okanagan Lake and swam away.

Mounties then attempted to negotiate with the man who was then resting on a log. Kelowna fire crews were able to help the RCMP arresting the man without further incident.

According to hockeydb.com, Nyren played for the Calgary Hitmen for the 2009-10 season, the Kamloops Blazers between 2008 and 2010 before playing for the Abbotsford Heat for the 2010-11 season.

He played for American teams and the University of Calgary between 2010 and 2017 before heading to France for the last few seasons.

READ MORE: Alleged Kelowna baby snatcher in custody

Nyren was scheduled to appear at provincial court in Kelowna Tuesday.

He remains in custody.

Nyren did not compete in the 2019 Allan Cup Championships held in Lacombe in early April.

Generals General Manager Jeff McInnis said that mental health challenges are a real thing in this world and the organization is concerned for the mental health of Nyren and are willing to lend any support he needs.

“We are worried about our friend Giff and we are worried about what is going on.” McInnis said. “We are going to do whatever we can to help. If that means getting in the truck and driving to Kelowna, that is what we are going to do.”

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