Search Intensifies for Missing Children in Pictou County

The search for six-year-old Lily Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack Sullivan has entered its fourth day, with no confirmed sightings of the children since they were reported missing on the morning of Friday, May 2. Authorities and volunteers continue to comb the dense, rural landscape around Lansdowne Station in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, where the children were last seen.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Lily and Jack are believed to have wandered away from their family’s home on Gairloch Road at approximately 10:00 a.m. Their mother had briefly stepped away after hearing them playing in the next room, only to return moments later and discover they were gone. The patio doors at the back of the house were found open. There were no signs of struggle or forced entry, and no immediate evidence indicating the children had left the property on foot or by any other means.

Within hours of the report, the search effort grew into one of the largest recent operations in rural Nova Scotia. Ground search and rescue teams, RCMP officers, police dogs, helicopters, and drones have all been deployed. Despite extensive grid searches and sweeping aerial coverage of the surrounding wooded area, no trace of Lily or Jack has been located.

The terrain in the region is notoriously difficult. Thick forests, rolling hills, wetlands, and unmarked trails pose significant challenges for search teams. Rescuers have been working around the clock, enduring rain, cool temperatures, and rough conditions as they try to cover as much ground as possible.

A vulnerable missing persons advisory was issued shortly after the children were reported missing. As concern grew over the lack of evidence and time passed without any progress, authorities elevated their response. At 5:27 p.m. on Saturday, a broadcast intrusive alert was issued to residents in Pictou, Antigonish, and Colchester counties. The alert system interrupted television and radio programming and sent emergency messages to mobile phones across the region, urging people to be on the lookout and report any information to the RCMP.

The children’s disappearance has deeply shaken the tight-knit community of Lansdowne Station and neighboring areas. Hundreds of volunteers have joined in the search, some walking long distances through thick brush and others preparing food, managing logistics, or offering shelter to search teams. The community center has become a hub for coordination, while schools, churches, and local businesses have mobilized to support the efforts in every way they can.

Residents describe Lily as a bright and curious girl with a love for animals and art. Jack, her younger brother, is said to be shy but adventurous, often seen following his sister wherever she went. Both are familiar with the family’s property, but it’s unclear how far they could have traveled on foot without supervision.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Robert McCamon, a senior major crimes investigator, confirmed earlier this week that detectives have been actively involved in the case since Saturday, May 3. While the primary focus remains on locating the children safely, police are also pursuing a parallel investigation into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

“We are continuing our missing persons search with every available resource,” McCamon stated. “But we are also exploring every possibility. There is no indication at this time of abduction or foul play, but we are not ruling anything out. Our priority remains bringing Lily and Jack home.”

Authorities are asking the public to be vigilant and to report any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Tips from hikers, hunters, delivery drivers, and other individuals who may have been near the area are especially valuable. Anyone who has not yet spoken to the RCMP and believes they may have seen something relevant to the investigation is urged to contact the Pictou County District RCMP immediately.

The children’s parents have declined formal interviews but have expressed their profound gratitude to the community and the search teams. A brief family statement released through law enforcement said: “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Please, keep looking for Lily and Jack. We believe they’re out there. We just want them home.”

In the absence of definitive leads, the emotional strain is growing. Counselors and trauma support specialists have been made available to assist the family and volunteers. At the children’s school, teachers and staff have organized activities to help classmates process the situation. Many students have written messages or drawn pictures for Lily and Jack, some of which now hang in the community center.

Despite the challenging circumstances, morale among searchers remains focused and hopeful. “You don’t give up when it’s kids,” said one volunteer, who has been walking trails with a flashlight since Friday night. “We’re going to keep going until we find them. That’s all there is to it.”

The RCMP has declined to comment on whether there are any new developments but confirmed that search efforts are being constantly reevaluated and expanded based on updated assessments. Specialized units with wilderness survival expertise have been brought in to advise on possible scenarios and help narrow down priority search zones.

Meanwhile, online communities across Nova Scotia and Canada are sharing photos and descriptions of the children. Supporters have launched digital campaigns and tip lines, and several GoFundMe pages have been set up to provide financial support for the family and search operations.

Lily was last seen wearing a pink jacket with floral leggings, while Jack was dressed in a red sweater and navy pants. Both are described as having light-colored hair and fair skin. Officials emphasize that anyone who may have seen children matching this description—whether walking alone, in a vehicle, or in an unfamiliar area—should not hesitate to report their observations.

As day four of the search continues, the message from the family, search leaders, and the wider community remains unchanged: Lily and Jack are out there, and we are not giving up. Every hour matters, and every set of eyes could make the difference.

The children’s names have now become a rallying cry not only for a worried county, but for an entire province that refuses to let them vanish without answers. In every footstep across the woods, every poster taped to a storefront, and every whispered prayer, one truth remains constant—hope is still alive.