Calgary police continue to ask for help in the search for Parker, a child who has been missing since Thursday, and have released an updated map showing his believed route.

The map was published in a news release from the Calgary Police Service (CPS) on Tuesday afternoon, depicting what they think to be his tracks based on his confirmed movements.

Since Parker went missing, police have released two CCTV videos they have confirmed as sightings of him, which provided the scaffolding for the map. Both videos are from the afternoon of July 16 and are from the Thornecliffe area.

The 11-year-old was last seen at his day home in the 0-100 block of Connaught Drive NW, near the communities of Thorncliffe and Cambrian Heights, and a multi-agency search has been underway across the city since then. 

Parker is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal, and police say that he may become scared if approached by strangers. If he’s seen, the public has been asked not to approach him, but to call 911 immediately while keeping him in sight. 

Police said that their search operations have covered over 7,000 km of distance — up from the 6,500 km reported on Monday afternoon. Their team includes local officers and the RCMP who have conducted various on-the-ground and aerial investigations.

Additionally, the Calgary Fire Department has done extensive searches of nearby waterways, and members of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway have scoured its tracks and surrounding property.

“We are not giving up,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson with CPS.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and our hearts remain with Parker’s family as they continue to live through this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time.”

Police remind residents of citizen search protocol

Calgary police said that they have become aware of individuals attending private residences and pursuing criminal tips on their own — behaviour that they said is “unacceptable.”

“Everyone wants to find Parker, and we understand the emotions involved,” read the news release from CPS.

“But showing up at private homes, confronting residents or organizing your own investigations can hinder our efforts and draw police resources away from the search and investigation.”

CPS said that anyone engaging in unlawful behaviour in the name of the search can expect to face charges. They emphasized that they are thoroughly investigating all tips and reports received.

Find Parker YYC, a public Facebook group, has garnered almost 25,000 members. Earlier this week, the group’s administrators made an effort to crack down on misinformation and irrelevant content by limiting the number of posts and comments allowed.

On Tuesday morning, one administrator posted a statement from Parker’s family, which said they would adjust citizen-led searches to be conducted a couple of kilometres away from his last known location in Thorncliffe.

The statement cited the reason for the change in focus area as being to refrain from compromising the professional investigative work led by CPS.

Residents continue to offer their time to non-professional searches by showing up outside of the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association, where volunteers can be found handing out route information, flyers, and snacks.

“Parker is a resourceful young man,” read the family’s statement. 

“We do not know exactly where he has travelled or when he may be moving versus sheltering, but we have confidence in the information guiding our current search plan.”

Anyone with information can submit tips to the police’s non-emergency line at (403) 266-1234 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.