Update: The Cranbrook RCMP has identified a suspect after information was given by the public.
Police say the investigation is still active and ongoing.
Police had briefly shared a photo of the suspect, but removed it upon preliminary identification.
They are asking the public not to share copies of the photos out of respect for the privacy of the youth involved.
Original: Cranbrook RCMP are looking for a woman believed to be responsible for assaulting a child in the Walmart parking lot.
Police officials say at about 5 p.m. on Monday, May 26, a woman left Walmart with two young children, one of whom was a boy aged five to seven years old.
“The suspect grabbed the young boy, punched him, screamed at him and then hit him in the head with a 4-litre jug of milk with enough force that it broke the container,” said Cranbrook RCMP.
Police say the suspect is a Caucasian woman who is possibly in her 30s. She had long, dark hair tied in a ponytail and was last seen in light color jean shorts with a black sleeveless shirt or tank top and sandals.
The boy had short, dark hair and was last seen wearing a white shirt with dark colored long sleeves, dark pants and sandals.
The woman was also with a girl believed to be three to five years old with short, light-coloured hair, who was wearing a light shirt with light pants and sandals.
The suspect drove away in a dark coloured, newer SUV.
Cranbrook RCMP launched an investigation into the incident, but have not been able to identify the woman or children yet.
“If you have any information about the incident, please contact the Cranbrook RCMP non-emergency line at 250-489-3471 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477,” said Cranbrook RCMP.
“If you think a child or youth (under 19 years of age) is being abused or neglected, call 1-800-663-9122 at any time of the day or night.”
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