One more night behind bars.
That?s the promise federal prosecutors made Wednesday to Canadian Olympic gold medalist Myriam Bedard, who is being held at the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup on a charge of abducting her own daughter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Jackson told Magistrate Judge James Bredar that Bedard is scheduled to leave the United States from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport at 11 a.m. today, causing the judge to order the Olympian back to jail for one more night.
Bedard, 37, a former Canadian biathlon champion, has been locked up in the Howard County jail for nearly two weeks, since U.S. marshals arrested her Dec. 22 at a Columbia hotel on Canadian charges of abducting her 12-year-old daughter, Maude, of whom she has primary custody.
Bedard?s American attorney, Kevin McCants, argued for his client?s freedom Wednesday, calling the matter a “family law” case that should not require incarceration.
“A parent with visitation rights complained to the government,” he said of the case. “We don?t think that?s enough to hold her in jail. … She should not spend another night [in] jail.”
He also told the judge that Bedard is concerned for the well-being of her daughter, who he said has not eaten since her mother?s arrest.
After the judge refused to release Bedard, McCants said he was disappointed.
“The judge doesn?t want to offend the relations between the United States and Canada,” he said.
Bedard?s arrest arises from a complaint lodged by her ex-husband Jean Pacquet, who alleged the Olympian had taken their daughter away from Quebec City without his permission and had no intention of returning.
Bedard?s Canadian attorney, John T. Pepper Jr. questioned why it was taking Canadian officials so long to transport Bedard to Canada.
“There were holidays, but I believe they could have acted quicker,” Pepper said. “The Canadian authorities have their own agenda. … She?s waiting and waiting and waiting.”
Bedard has been in the United States since Oct. 3, meeting with politicians and an ambassador about her whistle-blowing role in Canada?s federal sponsorship scandal, her attorneys said.
Her attorneys said the arrest is nothing more than a vindictive attack by her ex-husband.
