Suspect in death of Alberta girl, father out of hospital, back in jail

The man charged in the slaying of a two-year-old toddler and her father in southern Alberta has been released from hospital and returned to custody.

Derek Saretzky is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father, Terry Blanchette, as well as a separate charge of offering an indignity to the little girl’s body.

Last week, the 22-year-old Saretzky was found at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre in medical distress.

Sources say he tried to commit suicide by hanging himself.

He was placed in a medically induced coma but late last week regained consciousness and is now recovering.

Officials are not saying where he is now being held but say every inmate is assessed by institutional staff in conjunction with Alberta Health Services to ensure appropriate placement in a correctional facility.