Calgary police thanked the public and continued to ask for their help in the search for Parker, a child who has been missing since Thursday.
During a media availability on Wednesday afternoon, Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson with the Calgary Police Service (CPS) announced that they have been unable to identify a point last seen beyond the latest CCTV footage from July 16.
Since then, Guterson said that police have been following up with more than 400 tips in addition to over 1,000 videos submitted from 150 different locations. He emphasized that the investigation is far from over, and that the service’s efforts will persist.
“We remain committed to using every resource at our disposal to bring Parker home,” he said.
“We are not going to give up. The missing person investigation will continue until he is found.”
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 urge residents to continue searching their properties
Sgt. Guterson reiterated that it is vital for residents, especially those situated in the northwest, to continue checking their properties. He said that, even if they have already searched, they should do so again, as they believe Parker’s point of last seen has changed.
“Through the coming days, we ask our residents to continually check their properties, checking their garages, their sheds, any boats that may be stored at their homes, any RVs, any vehicles, and trucks,” he said.
“Any area where someone of Parker’s size could be found, we need those to be searched by residents.”
He said that when CPS receives an updated point last seen, this would effectively reset the investigation’s clock and that the location of focus would change accordingly. Until then, Guterson said that law enforcement will remain in and around the Thorncliffe area, including Nose Hill Park.
Given the season, he said that community members should tell any neighbours they know are away on holiday to contact the police so they can proceed with a professional check of their residence.
Guterson added that realtors and landlords who are in possession of a vacant property should also ensure that they have thoroughly searched the parcel, and that all of the above is especially necessary for the following streets:
- Travis Street NE
- Travis Crescent NE
- Trail Drive NE
- Taylor Crescent NE
- Travis Place NE
- Thomas Street NE
Calgary police also posted a warning to social media on Tuesday about a GoFundMe scam claiming to be fundraising for Parker. CPS confirmed that they are investigating the page and that charges will be laid if applicable.
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.
