The desperate search for missing Nova Scotia siblings Jack and Lily Sullivan has taken a dramatic and unexpected shift, according to law enforcement sources and recent developments shared during a community panel broadcast live on regional television. The event, which featured open commentary from investigators, search leaders, family advocates, and concerned citizens, also allowed the public to call in with questions, tips, and opinions. While the broadcast aimed to maintain focus on facts, several revelations emerged that marked a turning point in the investigation.

The RCMP confirmed during the live panel that the investigation has now officially moved into what they described as a “dual-track approach,” meaning that while the search continues, there is now a parallel criminal investigation underway. This update followed several days of intensified police presence around the Sullivan family’s home, additional interviews, and the reported seizure of electronic devices from the property. The move signals that investigators are no longer solely focused on a potential wandering or accidental disappearance scenario but are actively considering foul play.

Superintendent Lisa MacPherson, the commanding officer of the RCMP detachment involved in the case, explained, “We have reached a point in the investigation where new information and the absence of physical evidence have required us to broaden our focus. We are not abandoning the physical search efforts, but we are now exploring additional scenarios in greater detail, including the possibility that the children were taken.”

MacPherson’s comments sparked immediate concern among viewers, many of whom expressed shock that nearly two weeks into the investigation, no physical trace of the children had been found. Despite extensive ground and air searches, not even a piece of clothing, a footprint, or a dropped toy has turned up. The terrain has been searched multiple times, using infrared drones, canine units, sonar in nearby water bodies, and volunteer teams that have scoured every trail and forest edge.

A search coordinator on the panel, Graham Hall, told viewers that search operations will not cease, even as the investigative focus expands. “We’ve re-checked our grid areas, refined our search patterns, and will begin re-clearing high-priority zones in the coming days,” he said. “We will not give up.”

During the call-in portion of the panel, several members of the public voiced frustration with the pace and perceived secrecy of the investigation. Some callers asked pointed questions about the role of the children’s mother, Amanda Sullivan, and her partner, Daniel Martell. One caller asked why they had not made more media appearances, while another questioned inconsistencies in early reports about the last known sighting of the children.

In response, RCMP officials stated that while the family is cooperating, they are also undergoing personal and emotional strain that has limited their ability to participate publicly. Investigators emphasized that public judgment or online speculation based on limited information can be harmful and misleading. “We understand the desire for answers,” MacPherson added, “but we urge the public not to draw conclusions prematurely or spread unverified claims online.”

However, one of the most striking moments of the live event came when it was confirmed that Child Protective Services (CPS) has taken temporary custody of the couple’s youngest child, 16-month-old Meadow. CPS officials have not commented publicly, but Daniel Martell admitted during a prior media interaction that he had been denied access to Meadow and was under specific restrictions.

This has only intensified speculation and debate, particularly online, with some observers questioning whether concerns about the children’s home environment played any role in the disappearance. Family supporters, meanwhile, insist that the parents are devastated and unfairly targeted by public scrutiny.

Also discussed during the broadcast were several unconfirmed sightings that had been reported by members of the public in surrounding communities. One such sighting came from a truck driver who claimed to see two children walking with an adult along a service road near Highway 104. Although RCMP followed up on the tip, it did not yield any conclusive leads. Investigators say they continue to receive dozens of tips daily, which are logged, triaged, and verified by a dedicated task force working around the clock.

Psychologists and behavioral analysts were also present on the panel, offering insights into the mental state of missing children and the complexities surrounding familial disappearances. Dr. Naomi Lentz, a child trauma specialist, emphasized that children as young as Lily and Jack could easily become disoriented, hide from strangers, or fall into dangerous environments without necessarily crying out for help. “They may seek shelter, follow a pet, or run from something they don’t understand,” she said. “The absence of noise or clear signs does not mean they weren’t nearby at some point.”

The panel ended with a direct plea from RCMP to the public. Officials asked everyone in the region—particularly in Pictou County and the nearby rural outskirts—to check their outbuildings, vehicles, and surveillance footage again. “Sometimes it’s the smallest detail—a car seen where it shouldn’t be, an unusual noise, or a forgotten barn door—that opens up a critical lead,” said MacPherson.

What was initially a case of presumed child wandering has now evolved into one of the most puzzling and high-stakes investigations Nova Scotia has faced in recent memory. The open panel format highlighted both the transparency efforts of law enforcement and the deep, emotional toll this case has taken on the community.

Even as tensions rise and theories multiply, the guiding goal remains unchanged: bringing Jack and Lily home safely. Law enforcement has promised additional press briefings in the days ahead and has not ruled out the possibility of new search warrants or arrests, depending on where the evidence leads.

For now, a once-quiet corner of Nova Scotia remains at the center of a mystery that has captivated the nation and left a family—and a province—waiting in anxious hope.