Authorities found the 10-year-old alive at an Oregon City residence hours after she was taken from her Canby home.
OREGON CITY, OR— A 10-year-old girl abducted from her Canby home was rescued by law enforcement hours later at a residence in Oregon City, where authorities arrested a 35-year-old man who now faces kidnapping, attempted murder, sexual abuse and other felony charges.
Vince Edgar Chavez was arraigned Thursday in Clackamas County Circuit Court on 10 felony charges stemming from the Oct. 28 abduction and attacks on the girl and her 12-year-old sister. Circuit Judge Jeffrey S. Jones granted prosecutors’ request that Chavez be held without bail at the Clackamas County Jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on an indictment Nov. 5.
Police were called to a Canby apartment complex at about 1:47 a.m. Wednesday after the younger girl was reported kidnapped. Investigators said a man had entered the home minutes earlier, assaulted the 12-year-old sister and taken the 10-year-old by force. The older girl was taken to a hospital for treatment while local, state and federal agencies began searching for her sister.
The search led investigators later Wednesday to the 500 block of Pleasant Avenue in Oregon City, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force worked with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, Oregon City police, a tactical negotiations team and the FBI. Authorities entered the residence as Chavez allegedly tried to escape from the rear of the house. He was arrested without further incident, the Marshals Service said.
Authorities found the 10-year-old restrained inside the residence and took her to a medical facility for treatment and evaluation. Canby Police Chief Jose Gonzalez announced Wednesday afternoon that officers had found the child alive, ending a search that had lasted more than 12 hours. Officials have not publicly released a detailed update on her medical condition.
Prosecutors provided additional allegations at Chavez’s Thursday arraignment. The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said he is charged with attempted murder in the first degree, assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, two counts of sodomy in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. The charges are allegations, and Chavez has not been convicted.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owen told the court that the older child was struck in the head multiple times during the attack. Prosecutors also alleged that the younger child was sexually assaulted after she was abducted. Authorities have not publicly explained what connection, if any, Chavez had to the girls or their family. Investigators initially described the person who entered the apartment as an unknown male.
The case prompted a large multiagency response. Canby police worked with the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team, Oregon State Police, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service as investigators interviewed family members, sought surveillance video and worked to identify a suspect and vehicle. The girls’ parents cooperated with investigators, police said.
The U.S. Marshals Service said the coordinated operation was focused on recovering the child safely and arresting the suspect. The Canby School District also increased police presence at the younger girl’s elementary school while the search was underway Wednesday. Officials said the added presence was a precaution as the investigation developed.
Chavez remained held without bail following his initial court appearance. The criminal case is pending in Clackamas County Circuit Court, and prosecutors said his next confirmed court step is the Nov. 5 arraignment on an indictment. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and assaults.
Author note: Last updated October 30, 2026.