A member of the Prince Albert Grand Council Search and Rescue team meets with an officer from Carrot River RCMP. (Submitted Photo/Prince Albert Grand Council)

By paNOW Staff

#HOPEFORFRANK

Search for missing boy still a rescue mission says RCMP and Chief of Red Earth Cree Nation

Apr 29, 2022 | 12:00 PM

It has been nearly two weeks since his disappearance and still, there’s no sign of five-year-old Frank Young.

Young was last seen at his home on Red Earth Cree Nation on April 19.

Since then, hundreds of volunteers, over a dozen crews and members of the RCMP, the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) have searched extensively.

During an update, Friday morning, Chief of Red Earth Cree Nation Fabian Head said they are not giving up hope.

He added the family is grateful for the ongoing support and prayers they’ve received since their son disappeared. He acknowledged it has taken an emotional toll on the community, considering they’ve also held funerals for different members since then.

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“We’ve had three deaths in the community since then along with the search for Frank. Our people, we’re resilient and we come together in times like this to support one another. It’s the words of our Elders that give us comfort, those words we are thankful for.”

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

Sgt. Richard Tonge with Carrot River RCMP said as the weather has warmed up and the snow melts, they’ve been able to cover more ground. He said at this time, the search has not been expanded to nearby communities, but they continue to receive tips from people in these areas.

During the press conference, Tonge was asked several times why an Amber Alert has not been issued for Frank’s disappearance.

“The main criteria for an Amber Alert is we have to have confirmed evidence of an abduction. It can be stranger abduction, parental abduction, or abduction by another family member. We (also) have to have concern for the safety of the child. We don’t have evidence of those things happening in this case and therefore no Amber Alert has been issued.”

Tonge mentioned that a Saskatchewan Emergency Advisory Alert was issued when Frank was reported missing and was updated Thursday morning.

(Emergencyalert.saskatchewan.ca)

Chief Head was asked whether it is time to consider the search for Frank a recovery mission.

“It is still a rescue mission.”

“Obviously, as days go by, our concern for Frank grows,” added Tonge. “We’re on day 11 of this intensive search and with each passing day, each passing hour, our concern continues to intensify.”

Chief Head added that volunteers will continue to search this weekend, but he is asking for additional help as many of those volunteers are growing tired.

“We welcome any outside resources as well. We ask any volunteers that want to come to Red Earth to contact our Emergency Response Coordinator. (306-401-8124).”

Meanwhile, the #HopeForFrank continues to trend on Twitter as people across the country offer their support and prayers in the hopes of finding the five-year-old alive.

—

panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow