More than 200 people have joined the search efforts for 5-year-old Frank Young. (Submitted photo/Northern Photographer)

By Teena Monteleone

search efforts continue

“We will not stop until we find Frank”: Red Earth Cree Nation Chief on search for missing boy

Apr 26, 2022 | 1:59 PM

It’s been eight days since a little boy wearing Paw Patrol rubber boots and blue and green dinosaur pajamas went missing on the Red Earth Cree Nation.

Since then, overnight temperatures have dipped down to -7 C. More than 92 square kilometres of wooded areas, muskeg and bodies of water, houses and crawl spaces have been searched by land and air, but there is no evidence of Frank Young.

Still, those involved in the search efforts are holding out hope that the five-year old boy will be found safe.

“I don’t know if Frank Young is alive. We haven’t given up hope. History and previous searches have shown that humans can be resilient and that is why our efforts continue. We are doing everything we possibly can to find him alive,” said Sgt. Richard Tonge of the Carrot River RCMP.

(Submitted photo/Red Earth Cree Nation)

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Police, along with First Nation and Tribal Council search teams, and members from all 20 chapters of the Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers (SARSAV) have had to adjust their search techniques. The ice broke on the North Saskatchewan River earlier than expected, and Red Earth Cree Nation Chief Fabian Head said that could have posed a safety risk for divers in the water and search volunteers in canoes and other boats.

“On Saturday, April 24,we received reports from searchers on the river that it was approximately six or seven feet deep at the time. But as of yesterday, the water levels have risen significantly…I’m guessing anywhere from 15 to 20 feet deep because of that ice that started to move yesterday,” said Chief Head.

Young was last seen by his family near his home on April 19 at 12:30 p.m. Two witnesses also reported seeing the boy at the local playground around 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.

“In our discussion with the family, Frank does not have a history of wandering off. Frank does go to friend’s houses in the community near his house,” said Sgt. Tonge. “We have no reports of Frank wandering off previously and missing short term.”

While the search efforts by more than 200 volunteers have not turned up any clues, police said there is no evidence to suggest or support an abduction.

“We’ve had numerous tips. Some from as far away as Edmonton, Red Deer, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. We’ve been following up on those tips. We’ve been very fortunate our partner policing agencies have taken this seriously and they’ve conducted very quick and thorough investigations to show that sightings in these areas were not Frank. We have no witness evidence, no video evidence to support Frank was abducted from the community. Members at the check stop did not see Frank leave the community in any vehicle,” he said.

Young lived with his aunt and uncle on the Red Earth Cree Nation. His parents live in the nearby Shoal Lake Cree Nation. Chief Marcel Head said the family hasn’t slept in days.

“Anxiety and frustration is prevalent with the family, but we do have a support system and we’re utilizing our Elders to speak with the parent and relatives and that will be ongoing and their hope is to find Frank. That’s what everyone’s hopes are – to find Frank,” said Chief Marcel Head.

He thanked all the communities and organizations that have reached out in support and said any donations of food for the volunteers or money to help keep the search effort going is appreciated.

Search efforts by land and air were expected to continue indefinitely.

“It’s still a rescue mission and we will not stop until we find Frank,” said Chief Fabian Head.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow