Two weeks have passed since two young children disappeared without a trace in the rural area of Nueva Scotia.
Here is a look at what happened since they disappeared.
Friday, May 2
Around 10 am, Lilly Sullivan, six years old, and Jack Sullivan, four years old, are reported as missing at her home in Gairloch Road at Lansdowne station, approximately 25 kilometers southwest of New Glasgow.
The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, told CBC News that the brothers had stayed at school home that day, and the day before, because Lilly had cough. There was no school that Wednesday because it was a day of professional development for teachers.
Martell said that while he and his mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, were in the bedroom with their one-year-old daughter, Lilly entered and left several times, and Jack could be heard in the kitchen. Shortly after, they couldn’t listen to the children.
Martell said he believes that the children opened the sliding back door, which said it is almost silent and left.
The house borders a very wooded area with steep shores and a thick brush.
At 12:25 PM, RCMP issues a press release that notifies the public about missing children and asking anyone with information to be presented. Police say they believe the children moved away from their home, and there was no evidence of kidnapping.
At 4:55 pm, the Mounties issue an update, saying that the search is ongoing and asking the public to stay away from the area. The press release says that a notice of vulnerable missing persons was issued for Pictou County earlier that day.
Saturday May 3
The volunteers are looking for during the night. More than 100 people are involved in the search, which includes land and rescue search, dog services, drones and helicopters.
Officials are still optimistic of children will meet.
At 5:26 PM, New Scotland RCMP issues an alert of broader missing persons with Pictou, Colchester and Antigonish counties.
He Children’s mother talks to CTV Newssaying that it remains hopeful.
Sunday May 4
As the search continues for missing children, its stepfather says they want the authorities to monitor the New Brunswick border and nearby airports in case the children were kidnapped.
RCMP SGT. Curtis Mackinnon says that 160 search engines are looking for children, despite the challenging conditions due to heavy rains.
Monday, May 5
Police and rescue agencies continue to look for children 24/7.
New Scotia RCMP told CBC News Searchers located what could have been a footprint on Saturday and expanded the search effort in that area.
Four drones with thermal image technology are used at night to search heat firms in the forest.
Tuesday, May 6
Five days since the children were reported as missing, a spokesman for New Scotland RCMP says that the case remains an investigation of missing people.
The children’s stepfather tells CBC News that after his disappearance, the mother of the children left the area to be with his family in another part of the province and blocked it on social networks.
He said there was a discussion between the two families in the courtyard of the house that day.
The children’s maternal grandmother talks to the Canadian press in a brief telephone interview.
Cyndy Murray says that the family is “waiting and praying” for children to return home. He also says that the police advised the family not to talk to the media.
Wednesday May 7
At 2 in the afternoon, New Scotland RCMP announces that the search for missing children is “reducing”.
Staff sergeant. Curtis Mackinnon says there have been no confirmed sightings of children and they are unlikely that they are alive.
He says that search engines have covered a very wooded area of four square kilometers, approximately the size of the Halifax center, and the equipment will return to the areas previously sought.
The children’s stepfather tells CBC News that he is exhausted.
Thursday May 8
The Nova Scotia RCMP packs its command center at Lansdowne station and most search engines leave the area.
The children’s stepfather tells CBC News that he spoke with the investigators of the main crime unit in the Stellarton RCMP detachment at the beginning of the week.
He says that he voluntarily delivered his phone to the police and the investigators have registered the house.
Martell says that he has also requested a polygraph test, but RCMP declines to say if a polygraph would be administered.
An RCMP submarine team looks for bodies of water in the Lansdowne station area.
Meanwhile, an improvised memorial is taking shape in the nearby Stellaton RCMP detachment, where community members are placing animals and stuffed flowers.
Friday, May 9 to Monday, May 12
On May 9, an RCMP Submarine team continues to search the Lansdowne station area in the Lansdowne station area.
On May 12, Nueva Scotia Health celebrates a community support event at West River Fire Hall.
According to Nova Scotia Health, 17 families attend the event, where school facilitators, facilitators lead friendly activities for children, and crisis staff, dissemination and health promotion is available to offer support and navigation of resources.
At 3:04 PM, RCMP issues a press release by correcting the spelling of the name of Lilly. The agency had been spelling its name as Lily.
Tuesday, May 13
Children have now been missing for 12 days.
At 12:54 pm, the launch of Nova Scotia RCMP says that it continues to investigate the case.
Police say they are following more than 180 councils of the public and have identified 35 people to conduct formal interviews. These people include community members and those closest to the family.
Police also confirms that an underwater recovery team registered Lagos at Lansdowne station on May 8 and 9, but did not discover any evidence.
Wednesday May 14
No update is provided in the case.
Thursday May 15
New Scotland RCMP confirms again that there has been no evidence to suggest that children were kidnapped.
Friday, May 16
Two weeks have passed since the children were reported as missing.
Kevin Maclean de Colchester Ground Search and Rescue says that in an interview the search will resume on Saturday at Lansdowne station with volunteers from multiple search and rescue teams.
In a press release on Friday night, RCMP said the search will focus on specific areas around Gairloch Road. Sullivan’s house is on this path.
Two weeks have passed since Lilly and Jack Sullivan were reported as missing. Dozens of search engines and a police team have been looking for them. Brett Ruskin has the story.
