Abduction suspect contests extradition

GREAT FALLS (AP) — A man arrested in Whitefish after fleeing British Columbia with his 3-year-old son during a supervised visit is contesting his return to Canada.

Robert Barnett requested extradition and bail hearings during a Monday appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong in Great Falls.

Strong set the bail hearing for next Tuesday and the extradition hearing for Jan. 31.

Federal public defender Hank Branom says Barnett is being detained until then.

Barnett was arrested by Whitefish Police and Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies on Friday after a resident in Whitefish heard about the Amber Alert for Alvin Barnett.

Officials learned the boy and his father crossed into the United States at the Port of Roosville on Thursday afternoon.

The two slept in a car in Whitefish on Thursday night.

Barnett faces an abduction charge in Fernie, British Columbia.

The boy already has been  returned home to Canada.