French woman detained by Canadian authorities gives birth to son

VANCOUVER (CP) - A Frenchwoman detained by Canadian authorities for allegedly kidnapping her two children after a protracted custody battle gave birth to another child Tuesday, her partner said.

Nathalie Gettliffe, 35, gave birth to a baby boy named Martin while in custody at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, Francis Gruzelle, the newborn’s father, said in a statement.

Getliffe has been detained since April.

Gruzelle has openly criticized Canadian authorities for his partner’s ongoing detention and her case has won wide media attention in France.

Last week, he told France-3 television that Gettliffe was “physically exhausted” and blamed her poor health on prison conditions.

Gettliffe faces up to 10 years in jail in Canada if found guilty on two counts of child abduction. She said she took her children to France in 2001 to remove them from the influence of their Canadian father, Scott Grant, because he was increasingly active in the International Church of Christ.

While Canadian authorities recognize the church, French authorities consider it a cult.

French authorities returned the 11-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl to Vancouver in July, reuniting them with their father, who had been granted full custody by a Canadian court.

Grant said Tuesday he was unaware of whether his ex-wife had given birth.

But he said she had changed criminal lawyers in recent days. Her current lawyer, Richard Fowler, did not return phone calls Tuesday.

Her civil lawyer, Vincent Pigeon, said he was unaware whether she had given birth.

B.C. Corrections spokesman Bruce Bannerman cited privacy laws for being unable to confirm or deny the birth.

“I know it’s out in the press but I’m not able to give you any information about any offender who’s under our care,” said Bannerman.

Alouette warden Brenda Tole also cited privacy laws but suggested a call to the nearest hospital to the prison, Ridge Meadows Hospital.

The hospital would not comment and would not confirm Gettliffe was there.

Gettliffe’s criminal trial is set to begin in November.

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