A man is facing a pair of charges after a "highly visible" domestic incident at a Whistler hotel on Canada Day last year involving a child.
According to a release from the Whistler RCMP, police received a report just after 7 p.m. on July 1, 2024, of a disturbance at a hotel on the Village Stroll.
"Whistler RCMP members were approached by bystanders who indicated they could see a male holding a child over a balcony, a female could be heard screaming and damage was occurring inside the hotel," the release said. "Members attended and initially apprehended the male and female under the Mental Health Act. The child involved also received medical care."
Following an investigation, the BC Prosecution Service approved one charge of abandoning a child and one charge of failing to provide the necessaries of life against 45-year old Jason Frost in relation to the incident, the release said. Frost is not a resident of Whistler.
"This was a highly visible event as Whistler was in the midst of its Canada Day Celebrations. “We recognize the impact the incident had on individuals who witnessed this unfold in our community that day,” said Cst. Antoine Graebling, media relations officer with Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP, in the release. “We are incredibly thankful for the multiple witnesses that alerted the RCMP which enabled our officers to act swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation. Their cooperation and actions were key that day in saving a child’s life.”
With the matter now before the court, police can't provide further details at this time, the release said.
"As demonstrated on that day, the Sea to Sky Whistler RCMP would like to remind everyone that the safety, welfare and well-being of children and youth is a community responsibility. Everyone in the community should be alert to signs of abuse and neglect in children and youth and more details about how to detect these signs can be found at Child Protection Services in BC - Province of British Columbia," the release said.
"In B.C., anyone who has a reason to believe that a child or youth under the age of 19 has been or is likely to be abused or neglected and that the parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child or youth must report the suspected abuse or neglect to the Ministry of Children and Family Development."
To make a child protection report, call 1-800-663-9122. If the child or youth is in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are a child or youth and would like to talk to someone, call 310-1234 (no area code necessary).
