The search for two young children missing from their home in rural northeastern Nova Scotia has entered its fifth day. Four-year-old Jack Sullivan and six-year-old Lily Sullivan were last seen Friday morning in the community of Lansdowne Station.
As of May 6, 2025, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have announced they are scaling back the search efforts for the siblings, who disappeared from their home around 10 a.m. on May 2. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, expressed his hope for their safe return following a briefing with RCMP officials. "It’s all I’ve got after five long days," Martell said. "They’re doing the best they can. They have helicopters up there right now. They have 100 searchers and still nothing yet."
Martell confirmed that police had shown him items found during the search, including shirts, a blanket, and a water bottle, but none belonged to either child. Despite his initial fears that the children may have been abducted, police have stated there is no evidence to support this theory. They believe both Jack and Lily wandered from their home.
At a press conference, Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon stated that the search, which has involved over 100 volunteers, helicopters, K-9 teams, drones, and various provincial and federal agencies, is transitioning from a full-scale search to a more targeted approach. "We’re not packing up, and we’re not giving up," MacKinnon assured the public. The RCMP has covered a four-square-kilometer area of heavily wooded terrain in Pictou County.
On the morning of their disappearance, the children’s mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, reported hearing them playing in another room. She fell back asleep, and when she awoke, it was quiet. "We always make sure that we’re out there with them, watching them, and they happen to just get out that sliding door, and we can’t hear it when it opens," she said. The couple immediately called 911 after noticing footprints leading from their driveway to the road.
Brooks-Murray has been vocal about her distress during this ordeal, expressing her longing for her children’s safe return. "I want them home. I want to hold them, and I want them home. When they’re found it will be the biggest relief to hug them," she said. In her emotional appeal, she emphasized that her children, while autistic, are friendly and sociable, contrary to rumors online suggesting otherwise. "They’re both really happy-go-lucky children. They’re so sweet. They talk to anyone," she noted.
As the search continues, Martell has urged authorities to monitor the borders and nearby airports, fearing someone might attempt to take the children out of the area. However, RCMP Corporal Sally Rice reiterated that there is currently no evidence to suggest an abduction occurred. "Based on what we know, it appears they wandered off," she stated.
The community has rallied around the Sullivan family, with many residents offering support, including food for search teams. Major Daniel Roode, who leads the Salvation Army's efforts in Pictou County, commented on the community's involvement: "People want to give and they want to respond. It becomes very personal and they think, ‘What if that was my child?’"
In the search, teams are facing difficult conditions in the rugged terrain, which has been affected by hurricane damage. "These woods, they are very thick, there’s a lot of hurricane damage from Fiona, and we’ve had teams struggling to get through areas," said Amy Hansen, a search manager. The challenging environment has led to exhaustion among searchers, with some sustaining injuries while navigating through the area.
As of now, police have meticulously searched several kilometers in the area about 25 kilometers southwest of New Glasgow, but have yet to find any signs of the missing children. The search has included the use of four drones equipped with heat-seeking technology to assist in locating the siblings.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the mood among searchers remains one of determination and hope. RCMP Staff Sgt. Josh Wiese characterized the atmosphere as one of "exhaustion and optimism," as search teams continue to push through the thick brush in hopes of finding Jack and Lily.
The disappearance of Jack and Lily Sullivan has drawn attention to the issue of missing children in Canada, where over 50,000 children are reported missing each year. According to statistics, a significant percentage of missing children are located within a short time frame, with many found within a day. However, as the search for Jack and Lily enters its fifth day, their family and the community remain anxiously hopeful for their safe return.
In the meantime, the RCMP continues to investigate all leads and maintain communication with the family. Brooks-Murray, while expressing her gratitude for the search efforts, lamented that an Amber Alert was not issued at the time of their disappearance, as she felt it could have helped raise awareness about their situation.
As the search progresses, the entire community holds its breath, hoping for a miracle that will bring Jack and Lily back to their loving family.
