When 7-year-old Jack Sullivan and his 5-year-old sister Lily vanished from their Nova Scotia home on May 28, 2025, the initial focus of the investigation zeroed in on their own backyard—a seemingly safe and familiar space surrounded by thick woods, rural fencing, and a few neighboring properties. But now, nearly a week later, as more information surfaces and leads dry up, some are beginning to wonder: Was the assumption about the backyard all wrong?

According to early reports, the children were last seen playing outside in the late afternoon, sometime around 5:00 p.m. Their mother called 911 shortly after 5:45 p.m., when they didn’t come inside for dinner. Since then, investigators have scoured the wooded area surrounding the property, focusing heavily on the idea that the children may have wandered off into the trees and become lost.

Ground teams used dogs, drones, and even thermal imaging to cover miles of terrain. Boats and divers were deployed to nearby rivers and lakes. Searchers combed through muddy fields and dense forest in organized grid patterns. But as the days ticked by, and not even a scrap of clothing or a footprint was found, questions naturally began to arise.

Some observers now ask whether this intense focus on the “they walked into the woods” theory might have overshadowed other important angles early in the investigation. Could the children have left the yard by another means—voluntarily or involuntarily? Could someone have picked them up? And if so, how likely is it that no one saw anything?

A key detail that’s fueling this shift in thinking is the inconsistency in the parents’ stories. The mother originally stated that she had fallen asleep briefly while the children were playing in the yard. However, her partner—the children’s stepfather—told police that both adults were awake and inside tending to their newborn at the time. This discrepancy has not been fully explained, and authorities have confirmed they are aware of it.

Still, no suspects have been named. No arrests have been made. And both adults continue to cooperate with police—though notably, the children’s mother has since left the family home to stay with relatives and has stopped giving media interviews.

There are other troubling pieces of the puzzle. For instance, while early public speculation suggested that Jack and Lily were non-verbal or shy, their mother later clarified that both children were highly verbal and social. A bus driver who regularly picked them up for school confirmed this, noting that Jack and Lily were always laughing and talking—particularly Jack, who loved sharing facts about bugs and dinosaurs.

That detail casts doubt on the idea that the children would silently disappear into the woods without calling for help or responding to their mother’s calls. If something frightened them, or if they were in distress, many believe it’s unlikely they would remain completely silent. This has led some to believe the children may not have wandered off at all.

Compounding the sense of unease is the fact that nothing belonging to the children—no shoes, toys, snack wrappers, or bits of clothing—has been recovered in the surrounding area. In similar missing children cases involving wandering or accidents, investigators typically find something—no matter how small—to indicate the child’s presence. That has not happened here.

Investigators have said they are not ruling out any possibilities, including foul play. While the wooded area was initially the primary focus, forensic teams have since returned to search the home and surrounding buildings more carefully, including sheds, garages, and even vehicles. This renewed interest in the home itself has fueled more speculation: was something missed early on?

To add to the emotional weight of the case, artwork by Jack and Lily was shared with the media by their school. Jack’s paintings, done in red and green, seem to show insects or other outdoor scenes. Lily’s carefully written classroom assignment was titled “This is my mom.” In it, she describes baking cupcakes, playing with toys, and watching movies—ending her piece with, “I love my mom.” The personal nature of their artwork has reminded the public that this case isn’t just about headlines. It’s about two real children with personalities, hobbies, routines, and deep connections to those who love them.

Community support has poured in, with neighbors volunteering in the search, organizing vigils, and sharing flyers online. However, the longer the case remains unsolved, the more frustration and suspicion begin to simmer.

Authorities have urged the public to be cautious with speculation and misinformation, particularly online. But they’ve also acknowledged that public tips and input remain vital, especially in rural cases where a single overlooked detail—a car seen at the wrong time, a door left open, a strange noise—could make all the difference.

The case has prompted comparisons to other high-profile Canadian missing children cases, and many are calling for policy reform. Some have questioned why an Amber Alert wasn’t issued immediately. The RCMP responded by saying there was no confirmation of an abduction—one of the key criteria for such alerts—but pressure is growing to re-evaluate those standards.

As of now, Jack and Lily are still missing, and their disappearance remains unsolved. The family, community, and the entire province continue to hold out hope. What happened in that backyard? Did someone take them? Did they leave willingly with someone they knew? Or is there another possibility entirely that hasn’t yet been uncovered?

The RCMP has reiterated its commitment to pursuing every lead and re-examining every assumption. “No stone is being left unturned,” a spokesperson said during the latest press briefing. “We are not just looking at the woods. We are looking at every angle.”

In the meantime, their family has asked for privacy as they navigate the unimaginable. And the public—parents, neighbors, and strangers alike—continue to ask the same aching question: Where are Jack and Lily Sullivan?

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact the Nova Scotia RCMP or submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers.