Bouchra Marbouhi last saw her five-year-old daughter on the morning of September 26, when she prepared her for school. Marbouhi told her daughter that her father would pick her up for a sleepover. "My birthday was the 29th. So she said, ‘Mommy, I made you a card for your birthday,’" Marbouhi recalled. "I kissed her and I said, ‘Thank you. Where is it?’ She said, ‘It's in my bag. When I come back tomorrow I will show it to you.’"

However, Marbouhi never received the card. She has not seen her daughter since that day, as the girl was taken to Egypt by her father, Ahmed ElGammal, in violation of a court order. Marbouhi, 31, is anxious to confirm her daughter's safety and bring her home.

On Wednesday, police in Newfoundland and Labrador issued an arrest warrant for ElGammal, 36, on charges of parental abduction. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary confirmed that they received a report of a child taken by a known person on the evening of September 27. "This is an active and ongoing investigation, and the RNC is using all available resources to locate and confirm the safety of the child," the police stated.

Marbouhi had suspected that ElGammal would attempt to take their daughter to Egypt. She had previously obtained an emergency interim court order to prevent the child's removal from the province. In her application, she expressed extreme fear that her daughter would be withheld from her care.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador had ordered that the girl primarily reside with Marbouhi, who had been living at Iris Kirby House, a shelter for women and children, since March. Marbouhi keeps a binder filled with her daughter's artwork, many of which depict the two of them together.

After the sleepover, Marbouhi texted ElGammal, asking for their daughter to be returned early. ElGammal responded that he wanted more time with her. Later, he informed Marbouhi that he and their daughter had returned to Egypt.

Marbouhi immediately drove to St. John’s International Airport and contacted the police. The police later confirmed that ElGammal had flown from St. John’s to Montreal before leaving the country.

Marbouhi expressed frustration with the legal system, stating, "That non-removal order gave me a false sense of safety. That's why I feel so mad. No one tells me that it's nothing, it's just a paper."

ElGammal has not responded to inquiries regarding the situation. Marbouhi believes he may have obtained a new passport for their daughter during a recent trip to Egypt, which allowed him to leave the country.

Marbouhi's immigration status complicates matters. She is a Moroccan citizen who came to St. John’s on a closed work visa. Her application for a temporary resident permit for victims of family violence was denied just before her daughter was taken.

Charlotte Sullivan, a lawyer assisting Marbouhi, stated that the matter is under judicial review. Marbouhi has requested a wellness check on her daughter, providing police with an address where she believes ElGammal is staying. However, she has not received confirmation of her daughter's safety.

Canada does not have an extradition treaty with Egypt, which adds to Marbouhi's concerns. The RNC has requested assistance from Interpol and the RCMP to coordinate a wellness check.

As the seasons change, Marbouhi reflects on her daughter's absence. The playground at Iris Kirby House is now covered in leaves, and a chalk message wishing her daughter a happy birthday is fading. Marbouhi said her daughter was excited to dress up as a princess for Halloween, but the shelter has canceled Halloween events this year without her.

Marbouhi continues to hold onto hope for her daughter's safe return, while grappling with the emotional toll of the situation.