An Amber Alert that jolted phones across Ontario late Tuesday ended with relief for a family and renewed urgency for police. One-year-old Skyla-Rose Deschepper was located safe shortly after the alert went wide, but investigators say the child’s father, 38-year-old Anthony Deschepper, is still wanted and is considered armed and dangerous. The case is tied to the fatal shooting of a woman in Brampton earlier in the day, escalating the search from a child-recovery mission to a province-wide manhunt.
What triggered the Amber Alert in Brampton
Police requested the Amber Alert just before the evening rush after Skyla-Rose was allegedly taken in Brampton. The alert included a detailed vehicle description and suspect identifiers to mobilize the public quickly.
Suspect details (as broadcast in the alert):
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Name: Anthony Deschepper, 38
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Physical description: Approximately 5'9" (175 cm), ~175–181 lb (79–82 kg), brown hair, clean-shaven
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Vehicle: 2024 black Nissan Kicks with Quebec plate FRV 4520
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Last known clothing: Blue hoodie, blue jeans, black crossbody bag
Authorities connected the abduction to a homicide investigation after a woman was shot and killed in a Brampton parking lot earlier Tuesday. Police believe the events are intimate-partner related.
Timeline: from alert to safe recovery
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Late afternoon/early evening, Tue., Oct. 21 (ET): Amber Alert issued for Skyla-Rose Deschepper, last seen in Brampton.
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Early evening: Police report the child has been found safe, believed to have been dropped off with family.
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Evening: The search continues for Anthony Deschepper; investigators warn he may be armed and urge the public not to approach.
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Late evening: Shelter-in-place advisory issued in parts of Fort Erie as officers converge on a possible sighting near Prospect Point and Ridgeway Road.
As of Wednesday morning, Oct. 22, the child-recovery phase is over; the suspect remains outstanding.
What to do if you see the suspect or vehicle
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Do not approach. Call 911 immediately with location, direction of travel, and any distinguishing details.
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If safe, note plate FRV 4520, the black Nissan Kicks, and clothing as listed above; be mindful that suspects can change clothes or vehicles.
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Residents near the Niagara/Fort Erie area should keep doors and windows locked and avoid opening doors to unknown individuals while the advisory is in effect.
Why the alert spread beyond Brampton and Toronto
Ontario’s Alert Ready system pushes Amber Alerts across a broad footprint when police believe rapid, province-wide awareness can shorten search time or when a suspect may be on the move. The GTA’s highway grid and proximity to border crossings make quick, wide alerts critical; suspects can cover long distances in under an hour.
Context: how Amber Alerts work in Ontario
An Amber Alert is issued when police confirm an abduction, believe the child faces imminent harm, and have specific descriptive information—child, suspect, and/or vehicle—that can help the public identify and report sightings. The goal is to flood the zone with awareness for a short, high-stakes window.
Brampton and Toronto area impact
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Transit & traffic: Expect rolling police activity along major corridors radiating from Brampton toward Niagara and GTA arterial routes.
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Community guidance: Schools and childcare providers in affected zones typically follow police direction; parents should monitor official advisories for any localized security steps.
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Media updates: Authorities will post incremental updates as leads are cleared. Until a suspect is in custody, advisories may shift quickly by neighborhood.
What’s next in the investigation
Detectives are now running parallel tracks: the homicide probe linked to Tuesday’s shooting and the manhunt for Anthony Deschepper. Expect:
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Forensic processing of the crime scene and any recovered vehicle evidence.
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Expanded CCTV and ALPR pulls across the GTA and Niagara region.
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Witness canvasses in Brampton and Fort Erie, including appeals for dash-cam footage from the time bands around the alert.
Key takeaways for readers searching “Amber Alert today,” “Brampton news,” and “Toronto news”
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The child, Skyla-Rose Deschepper, is safe.
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Suspect: Anthony Deschepper, 38, tied to a Brampton homicide, is still at large and may be armed.
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Vehicle of interest: Black 2024 Nissan Kicks, Quebec plate FRV 4520.
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If seen: Call 911; do not attempt contact.
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Fort Erie residents: follow shelter-in-place guidance until lifted.
This is a developing public-safety story. Details may evolve as police verify tips and track the suspect’s movements.
