The desperate search for three missing Nova Scotia children took a potentially significant turn yesterday when RCMP investigators announced they are examining a pink blanket believed to belong to 4-year-old Lilly Sullivan.
“We can confirm that a pink blanket, which the family has identified as belonging to Lilly, was recovered from a wooded area approximately 3 kilometers from the family home,” said RCMP Superintendent Mark Davidson during a somber press conference. “Our forensic team is currently processing the item for evidence that might lead us to the children’s whereabouts.”
Lilly, along with her siblings Emma, 8, and Jake, 6, have been missing since Tuesday evening when they reportedly disappeared during a family camping trip near Kedge Provincial Park. The children’s mother raised the alarm after returning from gathering firewood to find the campsite empty except for the children’s shoes, neatly placed by their tent.
The recovery of Lilly’s blanket—her constant companion according to family members—has injected both hope and heightened anxiety into the search efforts.
“This is the first physical evidence we’ve recovered since the search began,” Davidson explained. “While we’re cautiously optimistic, we’re also intensifying our search operations in the area where the blanket was found.”
More than 200 volunteers have joined RCMP officers, search and rescue teams, and K9 units combing through the dense woodland and coastal areas. Helicopter surveillance continues during daylight hours, while thermal imaging technology is being deployed at night.
Community response has been overwhelming, with local businesses donating supplies and neighboring towns sending additional search personnel. The children’s school, Oakridge Elementary, has become an impromptu command center for volunteer coordination.
“These are our children. Not just the Sullivan family’s children, but our community’s children,” said Melissa Thornton, principal at Oakridge Elementary. “We will not rest until they’re found.”
Weather conditions have complicated search efforts, with intermittent rain making terrain treacherous and reducing visibility. Despite these challenges, RCMP officials remain committed to maintaining search intensity through the weekend.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—no matter how insignificant it might seem—to contact the dedicated tip line at 1-888-773-8477.
As darkness fell last night, community members held a candlelight vigil at Oakridge Elementary, where the children’s classmates and teachers shared stories and prayers for their safe return. The pink blanket discovery has given their hope a fragile but tangible anchor.
“Time is critical in missing children cases,” Davidson emphasized. “But we remain hopeful. We will follow every lead, examine every piece of evidence, and utilize every resource available to bring Emma, Jake, and Lilly home safely.”
