Dawn Walker said she fled Saskatoon out of fear for her safety and that of her seven-year-old son Vincent Jansen.
Walker of the Okanese First Nation was arrested last Friday in Oregon City Oregon, accused of entering the United States illegally and faking the deaths of herself and Vincent.
Walker said domestic abuse is a factor in her decision to leave the country.
“I filed police reports to the Saskatoon Police Service and the RCMP regarding domestic abuse, but nothing was done. The police services did nothing to assist me. I reported my concerns to the child protection authorities and again nothing was done,” she said in a statement. “I witnessed something with my son which scared me to my core.”
Walker stated she would elaborate further upon her return to Canada. Saskatoon Police said Monday that it did investigate complaints brought forward by Walker, but criminal charges were not pursued.
“I was left with no choice. No one heard me. I love my son Vinnie very much. He is my only child and I would do absolutely anything for him,” she explained. “I have been diagnosed from PTSD from years of domestic abuse and abusive behavior during the family law proceedings,”
She accused police of only caring when they thought she was dead and under pressure because of their blatant failures.
Walker said she is prepared to face the repercussions of her decision and apologized for all the hurt she has caused.
A request for comment from Saskatoon Police was not immediately returned. Walker is scheduled to be arraigned in Portland Federal Court in September.