The Calgary Police Service has issued an Amber Alert for an 11-year-old boy who has been missing since Thursday afternoon after the province issued an exemption to the alert for a vulnerable missing child.
The Alberta Emergency Alert was sent out at 1:35 p.m. on Saturday for Parker.
While Parker’s disappearance doesn’t meet the legislated criteria for an Amber Alert, police said the exemption was granted because of the “unique circumstances of this investigation.”
Parker is neurodivergent and non-verbal and may become even more scared if confronted by strangers, according to police.
Acting Insp. Rod MacNeil said in an update Saturday afternoon that police are “pulling out all the stops and using every available resource” to find Parker.
“We are deeply concerned for his well-being given the length of time he has been missing and his specific vulnerabilities,” said MacNeil, adding that the Amber Alert was crucial in getting information out to the public about Parker.
“The government of Alberta recognized the urgency of the situation and worked with us to make this alert possible,” he said. “This alert allowed us to quickly reach Calgarians with critical information and generate additional awareness as search and investigative efforts continue.”
Police also released new images from CCTV footage of Parker, who went missing from the neighbourhood of Thorncliffe.
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The boy was last seen at his day home in the 0 to 100 block of Connaught Drive Northwest sometime between 11:08 a.m. and 11:41 a.m. Thursday.
Police say some clothing believed to belong to Parker was found around noon in the 0 to 100 block of Northmount Drive Northwest.
On Saturday, police said CCTV footage captured Parker on Thursday at 12:52 p.m. in the 5000 to 6000 block of Travis Crescent Northeast.
Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson told reporters Saturday the distance between the two locations is about five to six kilometres.
“We know that he can walk great distances if that’s what he chooses to,” he said.
“It is our hope that this picture will allow the public to see Parker as he was last known to us with the clothing that we believe he was wearing … so we’re asking the public to look at that picture, share that picture with their friends, their family, their neighbours. The more eyes we get on that picture, the more likely we are to be successful.”
Parker was last seen shirtless and wearing grey shorts and black noise-cancelling headphones.
He is described as being about four feet 11 inches tall and weighing approximately 90 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Guterson said Parker functions at a three-year-old level and may be scared if approached.
“Just as a reminder, when Parker is found, he is likely to be frightened, he’s likely to be scared, so we need to be as gentle as possible if he is seen,” he said.
“So if a member of the public does see him, we’re asking them that they call 911 right away if they are certain that it is him so that we can deal with him as safely as possible.”
‘We just want our son home’
Calgary police shared a statement from Parker’s family, who thanked the public for their support.
“A single sighting, a piece of video footage, or one small detail could help bring him home safely. Our only wish right now is to know that he is safe and to bring him home,” the statement read.
“Knowing that so many people care and are looking for our son has given us strength during the most difficult time of our lives. Parker is deeply loved, and he is missed immensely. We just want our son home.”
Since his disappearance, investigators, patrol officers and specialized units have been searching the areas where Parker may have travelled.
“Approximately 30 tips have been received and assessed by investigators. Officers have reviewed, or are currently reviewing, approximately 50 hours of CCTV, residential security camera and dashcam footage,” police added.
“More than 200 CPS members have assisted in the search effort. And officers have conducted door to door inquires in all the surrounding communities and continue to canvas the area.”
As well, about 120 trained search volunteers are assisting with the operations in northwest Calgary on Saturday.
“Members of the public may continue to see a significant police and search presence in these communities, including our Air Support Unit, Mounted Patrol Team, Mountain Bike Unit, Canine Unit, patrol officers, investigators and trained search volunteers,” police said.
The public is asked to check their properties, including garages, sheds, hot tubs and under decks. As well, residents can check their security camera footage and be “observant while travelling through their communities, including parks, pathways, green spaces and alleys.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or by submitting it online.
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