The step father of Lilly and Jack Sullivan has been speaking to the press.

“I’m really hopeful that they find something,” Daniel Martell told CBC News “I’m grateful for each and everyone of them that take the time out here to go through black flies and go through … these forests are absolutely so dense.”

“I’m just hoping for something positive, a positive outcome that’s bringing the kids home, That’s the main goal here. It’s the main goal. It’s just to find the truth.”

The search resumed today, with over 100 people taking part in a renewed effort. The team is concentrating on areas that have not yet been explored, while also conducting a more thorough search of locations previously covered.

Those involved are now well-rested after the initial search efforts, which had left many exhausted and dealing with stress, injuries from bad falls, and sprained ankles.

Speaking about the online speculation Daniel told the reporter “ It’s hard on everyone. It’s hard on me, it’s hard on Malehya, it’s hard on the families,” he said. “I mean, it’s been hard on the search and rescue guys cause they don’t want to feel like they’re failing us for not finding anything.”

Like everyone else, we remain hopeful that the children will be found.

Daniel Martell, the stepfather of missing children Lilly and Jack Sullivan, has spoken publicly about the ongoing search and the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on him, his family, and the community at large. His words come as the search effort resumes with renewed determination and energy in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.

In an interview with CBC News, Martell expressed deep gratitude to the search and rescue teams who have been combing the dense, unforgiving forests surrounding Gairloch Road where the children were last seen. “I’m really hopeful that they find something,” he said. “I’m grateful for each and every one of them that take the time out here to go through black flies and go through … these forests are absolutely so dense.” His remarks were filled with emotion, reflective of the immense pressure and heartbreak that has consumed the family since Lilly and Jack disappeared.

The search resumed early this morning, with more than 100 people involved in the renewed effort. This latest phase of the search is concentrating on areas that had not yet been fully explored in the initial days following the children’s disappearance. At the same time, teams are revisiting previously covered ground, conducting more detailed sweeps using refined strategies and updated equipment. Authorities have said that while no definitive evidence has been found so far, the scope of the renewed search is intended to ensure that no stone is left unturned.

For many of the volunteers and professionals involved, this operation is both physically and emotionally draining. After nearly a week of continuous effort, the initial search left many participants exhausted, with some suffering injuries including sprained ankles and bruises from falls in rugged terrain. The decision to pause and then relaunch the operation has given teams a chance to rest and recover, allowing them to return to the field with renewed focus and strength.

Martell acknowledged the toll the case has taken not only on his own family but also on the people dedicating their time and energy to finding the missing children. “It’s hard on everyone,” he said. “It’s hard on me, it’s hard on Malehya [the children’s mother], it’s hard on the families.” His voice reportedly broke as he spoke, revealing the emotional strain that has become a daily reality.

Beyond the physical challenges of the search, the family is also grappling with the effects of relentless public scrutiny and social media speculation. Online forums and posts have exploded with theories, assumptions, and even accusations, many of which are unsubstantiated. This digital storm has made an already agonizing situation even harder for the family to bear.

Martell addressed this head-on, saying, “It’s been hard on the search and rescue guys ’cause they don’t want to feel like they’re failing us for not finding anything.” His defense of the search teams reflects a sense of solidarity and shared frustration—both with the mystery of the children’s disappearance and with the internet chatter that has added tension to an already difficult search.

Despite the pressure, both from within and outside the search, Martell maintains a hopeful outlook. “I’m just hoping for something positive, a positive outcome that’s bringing the kids home. That’s the main goal here. It’s the main goal. It’s just to find the truth,” he said. His message mirrors that of the broader community, which has rallied behind the Sullivan family with unwavering support, placing posters across towns, organizing vigils, and offering resources and aid to assist with the search.

The RCMP has continued to lead the investigation alongside search and rescue units, and the renewed efforts reflect a coordinated strategy that integrates both field work and behind-the-scenes investigative processes. While the details of the investigation remain largely confidential, officers have confirmed that they are following all leads and considering multiple possible scenarios.

Part of the renewed search strategy involves reexamining areas previously covered. Experts involved in the case have explained that such re-searching is not unusual in cases involving missing children, particularly in rugged or heavily wooded environments. Even well-coordinated initial efforts can miss clues in dense brush or hard-to-access terrain. Returning with more focused search parameters, and in some cases using different teams and technologies, can make a critical difference.

Community involvement, though temporarily limited to avoid interference with official efforts, remains strong. Support for the family has poured in from across Canada, as people express hope and heartbreak in equal measure. Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading rumors and instead direct any potentially useful information to the RCMP. Verified tips are still being encouraged, and police continue to review surveillance footage, phone records, and other relevant data in hopes of finding a breakthrough.

For Martell, the search is more than a logistical effort—it is a deeply personal and emotional journey. Every hour that passes brings new waves of hope and fear, of patience and anxiety. His public remarks underscore a painful reality: that when young children vanish under mysterious circumstances, families are left in a state of limbo, clinging to optimism even as days stretch into weeks.

Malehya Sullivan, the children’s mother, has not made any further public statements in recent days. However, sources close to the family describe her as devastated and emotionally overwhelmed, focused on supporting the search while dealing with the unimaginable burden of not knowing where her children are.

As searchers continue their work, the focus remains resolutely on one thing: bringing Lilly and Jack Sullivan home. The RCMP has made clear that this is still considered an active case and that no theory is being ruled out. Whether the children wandered off, were taken, or encountered some other misfortune, the investigation is ongoing and will continue until answers are found.

For now, the woods near Gairloch Road remain filled with the quiet rustling of branches, the occasional call from a search leader, and the footsteps of those who refuse to give up. Daniel Martell, like the many others involved in this difficult mission, holds onto hope with every breath.

No matter how difficult the terrain or how heavy the emotional weight, the mission continues. The search for truth—and for Lilly and Jack—goes on.