It is the news everyone hoped to hear, the missing 6-year-old BC girl with autism has been found after a massive search for her in a rural part of the province.

Oaklynn Schweder had been missing since Thursday evening and was located just after 6 pm on Sunday, according to local police.

The RCMP added that she was found in a forested area previously searched between her residence and the band office in Southside, BC.

Searchers believe she was likely moving around during the time she was missing.

“This is the outcome that we all hoped for, she was missing for multiple days, but everyone searching remained dedicated to bringing her home safely,” said Burns Lake RCMP Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Joshua Smith.

“We are thankful for the support of all our partner agencies and volunteers who worked day and night to achieve this outcome.”

Despite ongoing efforts and a significant amount of resources, the search for a missing 6-year-old girl with autism in northern BC has so far been unsuccessful.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of support including a large number of volunteers, who have all come together with the common goal of bringing Oaklynn (Schweder) home safely,” said Burns Lake RCMP Detachment Commander, S/Sgt. Josh Smith.

“Locating Oaklynn remains our top priority. We continue to liaise with Oaklynn’s family to ensure they are supported and kept apprised.”

Among those searching are members of the RCMP, local search and rescue, BC Wildfire Service, volunteers and Canadian Rangers have been called out.

Those searching have utilized helicopters, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and police service dogs.

The Skin Tyee Band is assisting in coordinating volunteers while providing food and shelter to those helping.

“Local support and volunteers are being asked to carpool as space is limited and congestion could hinder current search and relief efforts,” added the RCMP release.

“Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Oaklynn is urged to contact Burns Lake RCMP at 250-692-7171. If you locate Oaklynn call the police immediately or alert search teams and stay with her until help arrives.”

 Mounties say that numerous resources are out looking for a 6-year-old girl who went missing from her home Thursday evening near Burns Lake.

Oaklynn Schweder was last seen outside her home on Southbank at 6 pm.

Photo contributed by BC RCMP

She was wearing a red/blue plaid dress, leggings with white bow ties and pink socks.

Police say Oaklynn is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.

Search and Rescue has been called in to help in the search.

Both babies are home.
But, while one family rejoices, the other mourns. Oaklynn was found safe, and shortly after Johnson was found deceased. It is a bittersweet outcome to a tumultuous situation that had many families praying to creator for a positive outcome.

We have had enough of our children go missing, and from the second Johnson’s absence was announced, my heart and prayers were with his family for a safe return. This is not what we expect when we send our children to school.

The timing of them being found was so close to each other, we could barely celebrate Oaklynn’s safe return before it was reported that Johnson had returned to creator.

Both children were 6 years old, non-verbal and autistic. Johnson Redhead went missing September 18 around 9 am in Shamattawa First Nation from his school and Oaklynn Schweder went missing September 19th from her families property in Burns Lake, BC.

Johnson was found approximately 3.5 km away from his school in a marshy area and Oaklynn was found by volunteers north of the band office. I can’t help but think it was a lack of resources that failed Johnson. A shortage of resources at the school and on the search efforts. Initially Johnson’s search was community led and organized, there was a delay in resources and help from the RCMP due to the location.

Oaklynn’s search had immediate help with search dogs and drones, as well as having 800+ volunteers. Johnson’s search was in the dozens. As well, I noticed there were a few TikTok accounts dedicated to Oaklynn’s search, while Johnson had none. A few videos made, but nowhere near the traffic. Northern Manitoba is where Jordan River Anderson was from. The lack of resources that failed him, failed yet another indigenous child.