Missing Children in Nova Scotia: Community Left in Despair as Search Efforts Continue
The small community of Lansdowne, northeast of Halifax, in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, is gripped by despair as the search for missing siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan enters its second week. The six-year-old and four-year-old children were last seen on April 29, when their bus driver, Bryan Ward, dropped them off at the end of their dirt driveway after school.
According to The Globe and Mail, the children’s seat on the bus has sat empty since then, with their names still taped above it. Every day, the children aboard the bus have been asking Mr. Ward if the siblings have been found, to which he replies, "Not yet. The police are doing everything they can." The Globe and Mail spoke to Mr. Ward, who expressed his devastation over the disappearance of the children, saying, "I’m devastated. I’m absolutely devastated… I can’t even sleep at night."
The case has sparked widespread concern, with RCMP officers scouring the thick woods surrounding the family’s home for six days. However, on Wednesday, the police called off search-and-rescue teams, citing that it’s unlikely the children are still alive. The investigation has now shifted to smaller, specific search areas, with police exploring possible criminal elements.
As reported by The Globe and Mail, major crime investigators visited the family’s rundown mobile home on Thursday to speak to Daniel Martell, 33, who described himself as the children’s stepfather. The officers asked for electronic devices to help corroborate timelines, which Mr. Martell provided. An RCMP helicopter was also seen flying overhead, scanning the family property, which backs onto dense forest.
The RCMP has defended its decision not to issue an Amber Alert, stating that the investigation didn’t meet the criteria. The police also declined to discuss Mr. Martell’s claim that divers were called in to search nearby Lansdowne Lake or confirm a report that tracking dogs had followed the kids’ scent to the end of the family’s driveway. The Globe and Mail quotes Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Allison Gerrard as saying, "To ensure the integrity of the investigation, no further details will be released at this time."
The children’s school, Salt Springs Elementary, has provided psychologists, counsellors, and other school-board support staff to help students and staff cope with the situation. The school serves 86 children from communities across southern Pictou County and is about a 20-minute bus ride from the family’s home.
Mr. Ward, who has known the children since they started taking his bus, described them as full of life, always smiling and laughing. Lilly would often let out high-pitched squeals, while Jack was chatty and sometimes fell asleep on the way home from school. The Globe and Mail reports that Mr. Ward even headed into the woods on his ATV to search for the children as soon as he heard they were missing on May 2.
As the search continues, the community remains gripped by worry and fear. Neighbours have expressed their heartbreak, and the local First Nation community has urged people not to spread rumours or speculation about the case. The children’s mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, has left the family home with her and Mr. Martell’s 16-month-old daughter to be with her mother and hasn’t returned. The Globe and Mail reports that Ms. Brooks-Murray’s Mi’kmaq community leadership has made a statement, and she has previously spoken to reporters about her children’s autism diagnoses and struggles in school.
The investigation is ongoing, with police focusing on specific areas and exploring possible leads. As the community waits with bated breath for news, one thing is certain – the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan has left a scar on the small community of Lansdowne, and everyone is holding out hope for a miracle.
Sources:
- The Globe and Mail: "Missing children in Pictou, Nova Scotia: Updates"
- Steve Wadden/The Globe and Mail (photography)
