Missing girl found safe

UPDATE 8:00

A little girl who had been missing for three days near Burns Lake has been found safe.

“This is the outcome that we all hoped for. She was missing for multiple days, but everyone searching remained dedicated to bringing her home safely,” says Burns Lake RCMP detachment commander, S/Sgt. Joshua Smith. “We are thankful for the support of all our partner agencies and volunteers that worked day and night to achieve this outcome.“

Mounties said that the six-year-old was located just after 6:00 p.m. Sunday in a forested area previously searched between her residence and the band office, “leaving searchers to believe she was likely moving around during the time she was missing.”

A post to the Chinook Emergency Response Society Facebook group announced that the girl was “safe in her mothers arms”.

The RCMP had said “significant resources” from across the province were involved in the search for the child.

ORIGINAL 11:30 a.m. Sept. 21, 2024

A massive search for a missing six-year-old girl is ongoing south of Burns Lake.

she went missing from her Southbank home on Thursday evening at about 6 p.m. Southbank is located about 23 kilometres south of Burns Lake.

In a press release Saturday morning, the BC RCMP says “significant resources” from across the province are now involved in the search, including members of the RCMP, Search and Rescue, BC Wildfire Service, and volunteers in the area. Canadian Rangers, with the Canadian Armed Forces reserves, are also en route to assist.

Search crews are using helicopters, drones and police dogs to find the young child.

The girl is on the autism spectrum and her family says she is non-verbal, although she will “babble” and make noises to communicate. Her family says she likes to go into small spaces.

She was last seen wearing a red/blue plaid dress, leggings with white bowties and pink socks.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of support including a large number of volunteers, who have all come together with the common goal of bringing her home safely,” says Staff Sgt. Josh Smith, Burns Lake RCMP Detachment Commander.

“Locating her remains our top priority. We continue to liaise with her family to ensure they supported and kept apprised.”

The Skin Tyee Band is helping coordinate volunteers and provide them with food and shelter. Police have asked volunteers heading to the area to carpool, to avoid causing congestion in the small community which could interfere with the search.

Police have asked anyone with information about the girl's whereabouts to call Burns Lake RCMP at 250-692-7171.