A "happy ending" for three missing youths located after a weekend-long search could have been a tragedy, say Yellowknife RCMP who are now reminding parents and guardians of general safety tips.
On Saturday, Mounties received a report of a missing 10-year-old boy, who was last seen in the area of Walmart the evening before at around 8 p.m.
A missing persons investigation was launched "immediately," with officers canvassing nearby businesses for possible sightings and by conducting checks in the area, states an RCMP news release from Monday afternoon.
The search continued Sunday and Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue was brought in to scour trail systems in Yellowknife.
As the search continued, police say they were made aware of another boy, 12, who hadn't reported home since Friday night. Mounties listed the youth as missing and continued to conduct area checks and follow leads, according to Monday's news release.
Just hours after police were notified of the second missing boy, RCMP say a 12-year-old girl was reported missing around 11:30 p.m.
Police believed the trio of missing youths knew each other. One of them was spotted at a fast food restaurant on Saturday night.
The investigation expanded, with the RCMP's General Investigative Section, Major Crimes Unit, and additional Mounties assisting.
After receiving information that led police to a house in Ndilo on Monday morning, all three of the youth were located safe. They were transported to the RCMP detachment, where they were reunited with their families.
“The quick reactions of the media and public really assisted in our member’s investigations. We are thankful this was a good result and all three youth were located safe and sound” states RCMP spokesperson Marie York-Condon in the news release.
Yellowknife RCMP also credited the assisting agencies and community volunteers who helped with the search.
"Thank you to Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue for coming out Saturday evening and searching the trail systems. A big thank you to the businesses for supplying key information that ultimately led to the location of the youth," stated York-Condon.
"While this incident has a happy ending, it serves as a reminder that in the cold temperatures of a Yellowknife winter, a missing person can become a tragic event if not located quickly," added York-Condon.
Following the days-long search effort, RCMP are offering tips safety tips for both parents and children:
According to their age, teach your children:
- Their full name, address and phone number (never place their names or personal information on the outside of their clothing or belongings)
- How and when to call the police
- How to make long distance and collect phone calls
- To go to a store clerk or security guard if they get lost or separated in the mall/store
- Set a schedule for regular check-ins and follow it
Outdoor Safety
- Make sure your children are always wearing a bike helmet and any other safety equipment when riding a bike
- Teach them to use hand signals when stopping or making a turn and equip their bikes with reflectors and a working horn
- Teach the importance of vigilance – tell them to watch out for traffic, pedestrians, stones, rocks, potholes, ice and snow on the roads and sidewalks
- Wear appropriate clothing for the weather
Street Safety
According to their age, teach your children:
- Always play with a buddy and inform a parent or trusted adult of their whereabouts. If walking to school, they should walk with and/or join other groups of children.
- Make their way home once the streetlights are on (if allowed out after dark, they should be with a group of friends in a well-lit area)
- Never touch any dangerous items they find, such as needles, glass, etc. They should tell an adult about such things immediately.
- Stay away from heavily forested, isolated areas as well as abandoned garages or houses
- Avoid shortcuts and only take the pre-planned route(s) that you have established with them