AMBER ALERT: Search for 2 missing Surrey children continues, tip line set up

Editor’s Note: The missing Surrey children subject to a province-wide Amber ALERT have been found safe, according to Mounties. CityNews has since deleted all identifying information for privacy reasons.

The province-wide Amber ALERT for two children is now into its sixth day. The Amber ALERT was issued in B.C. Wednesday, July 19 for two children who were last seen in Merritt.

In an update Monday, Mounties say that investigators believe the “parental abduction” was preplanned.

Police note that it is believed the suspect, along with her 74-year-old father, and her 53-year-old boyfriend, have moved “off the grid” with the children.

They are believed to be living in trailers somewhere in a rural area, police note.

The RCMP previously confirmed the mother’s last known location was a Kamloops grocery store on July 15. The 45-year-old was seen wearing all-black clothing, a black baseball cap, and black sunglasses.

Police say based on surveillance footage, her eight-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son were not seen in the store.

Mounties note that the last confirmed sighting of the children was on July 7, at a gas station in Merritt as they were passing through the city.

Images of the truck, and the trailers they are believed to be travelling with have been released.

Police are looking for a dark blue 2012 Dodge Ram 2500, with B.C. license plate SJ2 708.

Mounties are also looking for at least three trailers, with the first described as a white bumper pull horse trailer.

Mounties say on June 30, the same truck has been confirmed to have been towing a fifth-wheel trailer. Images of this trailer were released Friday afternoon.

Additionally, Mounties say they are believed to be in possession of another trailer, which is described as a large travel trailer that was last seen in Merritt on July 7.

“We also want the public to recognize that on the last sighting that she was towing a horse trailer, they also have access to a large travel trailer or they may not be towing a trailer at all at this point in time. So the key is to focus on that specific truck and the license plate that has been provided,” Surrey RCMP Corp. Vanessa Munn said Thursday afternoon.

The Surrey RCMP says the children were previously seen at Krafty’s Kitchen and Bar in Kelowna with their mother on June 30.

“Our investigators are following up on all tips received and continue to pursue all possible investigative avenues to bring [the children] home safely,” Munn said Thursday.

The Amber ALERT was first issued for the children on July 19, after police said they received a report that the kids were missing on July 18. The RCMP says they were expected to be returned to their father — who has primary custody — on July 17 following a vacation.

According to the RCMP, the boy and girl left Surrey on June 28. It’s unclear when the father last had contact with the kids.

“During the course of the time that they had been away, they have been out of contact. The children were not returned to the primary guardian and based on additional investigative steps that have been taken, we do believe that the children are at risk,” Munn said in an update Wednesday.

The three were supposed to go camping in the Kelowna area. However, investigators say they have since determined the booking was cancelled.

“The circumstances since the children have left have changed and evolved. This is a very fluid situation, and based on some of the instances that have occurred and the information that we have learned since the report, we do believe the children are at risk,” Munn added.

“We are concerned for the mental health and wellness of [the mother] and her ability to care for the children.”

Anyone who sees the children or mother is asked to not approach them and to call 9-1-1 and mention the Amber ALERT.

A dedicated tip line has also been set up for any additional information related to the Amber ALERT: 604-599-7676 or email surreyamberalert@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

At this point, Munn says it is not believed that they have left the province.

She says in the event that they attempt to cross the border, Mounties will be notified.