With few leads, search for missing N.S. kids focuses on area where boot print found

Andrew Sampson · CBC News

· Posted: May 31, 2025 1:23 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

Searchers looking for 2 missing kids successful Pictou County connected Saturday scoured the country wherever a footwear people was recovered successful a erstwhile search.

But searchers concede they person small to spell connected and person nary mode of knowing if the footwear people is adjacent related to Lilly Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 4. They were reported missing May 2.

"We don't cognize for definite it was from the children, but it's the lone existent happening we've had to spell connected frankincense far," said Amy Hansen of Colchester Ground Search and Rescue, who is managing the hunt this weekend.

Approximately 75 volunteers resumed the hunt connected Saturday.

Lilly and Jack Sullivan went missing from their location successful Lansdowne Station, N.S., conscionable implicit 4 weeks ago. The agrarian country is astir 140 kilometres northeast of Halifax.

Hansen said determination has been nary caller evidence since the hunt was suspended 2 weeks agone connected May 17, but crews person returned this play to screen peculiar areas of interest.

She said the hunt is focused connected Lansdowne Lake and a nearby pipeline trail, wherever the footwear people was located.

Hansen said the woods are afloat of brushwood and debris that person made it hard for the searchers.

Thus far, crews person done a grid hunt of astir six quadrate kilometres. Hansen expects them to hunt an further 1 oregon 2 quadrate kilometres this weekend.

Three drones are helping with the search, but mediocre upwind conditions mean that helicopters haven't been capable to assist.

In summation to the Colchester team, crushed hunt and rescue teams from Pictou, Strait, East Hants, Springhill, Pugwash and Halifax are besides helping retired today.

"We're really starting to spot radical that conscionable physically and emotionally can't instrumentality to the hunt astatine this point," said Hansen. "It's precise taxing connected the members."

On Friday, Daniel Martell, the children's stepfather, told CBC News the last month has been achy for his family.

"Every time erstwhile I aftermath up, it feels similar I'm reliving a nightmare," helium said.

"The main feelings of sadness conscionable crook to choler due to the fact that there's nary grounds aft 1 month."

The hunt for the children volition proceed until Sunday evening, barring immoderate developments, said Hansen.