In search for missing Sask. boy, police check into tips from 'visions or dreams'
As the search for Frank Young enters its third week, crews continue to look for the boy by land, air and on the water.
Young, five, was reported missing on April 19. He was playing in the front yard of his home on Red Earth Cree Nation. He was wearing Paw Patrol boots, blue pyjamas with green dinosaurs and a navy blue windbreaker.
He was last seen around noon that day, although he may have been spotted at a local playground around 2:30 p.m., according to police.
On Saturday an RCMP team patrolled 40 kilometres down the Carrot River — which runs through the community.
A pair of small boots were spotted during the search.
However, Young's family confirmed the boots did not belong to the boy, Carrot River RCMP Sgt. Richard Tonge said during a virtual news conference on Tuesday.
Tonge said heavy rain, melting snow and ice, and thick bush and trees have made the search challenging.
"There was also heavy rain on the weekend forcing searchers off the river for safety reasons," Tonge said.
"We use a variety of boats some larger, some smaller, whatever we can use to get on the river given the changing weather conditions each day."
Many community members also join the daily searches using their own boats, according to Tonge.
A helicopter has also been assisting in the search for Young, taking to the air every two or three days when the weather permits, Tonge said.
RCMP officers and community members act as spotters, with the air search also focused on the river or any areas highlighted by Red Earth's emergency response team.
Abduction is not suspected and Young's disappearance does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.
Tonge said police are following up on any information involving potential sightings of the boy — no matter the source.
"We are still getting tips at this point — many of them are visions or dreams — but they are followed up with," Tonge said.
"At this time, none of those tips have given us any information about what happened to Frank."
At the request of Young's family, the ground search by community members is now focusing on the area south of Young's home.
"So we continue to remain hopeful and I'm thankful for the support and thankful for the volunteers that they continue to have that faith," Red Earth Chief Fabian head said during the news conference.
Head said volunteers are still welcome to join the effort to find Young.
The boy was staying in the community with his aunt and uncle. Young's parents live in Shoal Lake Cree Nation, located nearby.
"I talked to the parents this morning, and there's a bit of a level of frustration that's being expressed," Shoal Lake Chief Marcel Head said during the media availability.
"That's very understandable."
Young's family began looking for the boy almost immediately after he was discovered missing, according to police.
A winter weather system moved through the province that evening, bringing snow, wind and frigid temperatures.
In the days that followed, searches were conducted by ground, air and boat. An RCMP dive team was also brought in to assist.
A 92-kilometre area in and around Red Earth was covered during the search, according to the community.
Donations of food from Nipawin and Carrot River have helped feed the crews as the search has stretched on.
According to RCMP, over the first 14 days of the search, more than 600 people — including civilians — were officially registered with the search operation.
The Search And Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers has dedicated 2,000 hours of search time.
While Tonge said the resources dedicated to the search are reevaluated on a daily basis, the police service has boat crews lined up for the search at least until May 18.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.