Though the search for a missing 11-year-old Calgary boy has been scaled down, emotions continue to run high. Parker Wells went missing on July 16. Despite a massive search involving hundreds of police officers and trained volunteers, as well as many a Calgarian and others travelling from outside the city, he still hasn’t been found. On Monday, police said they were “refocusing from the physical search,” but not giving up. Sgt. Rich Wall, search manager for police, said he’s seen his fellow officers with tears in their eyes over the past 13 days. He said they all know, “There’s a family sitting next to a phone, waiting for a phone call from us to be able to tell them we’ve found their son.” Police have been regularly sharing insights into the search effort through social media. On Monday, Wall talked about the emotions involved, as well as a mapping app being used. “If there was more we could do, we would do it,” he said. “We have done everything we can so far, and we will continue to do that. “We’re ready to respond.” Tracking every single step Police are using a mapping app called CalTopo as they search for Parker. Images from the app were shared on Monday, some showing the last point he was seen and lines representing everywhere searchers have walked. Wall said everyone involved in the search, police or otherwise, has the app on their cellphone. “Every single line that you see is an asset,” he said. Wall, pointing at one of the images from the mapping app, said, “This is a jigsaw puzzle, and we’re looking for the last little pieces to make the full picture.” “We know that the public has that,” he said. Keep an eye out for Parker Police are encouraging all Calgarians to continue regularly checking their properties for Parker. Police previously posted a video to social media showing “what we mean when we ask residents to ‘check their property.’” “What might not make sense to you could make sense to Parker,” police said. Parker is 4′11″ tall (150 cm) and approximately 90 pounds (41 kg) with brown hair and brown eyes. When he was last seen, Parker was shirtless, wearing dark shorts and black noise-cancelling headphones. He is neurodivergent and non-verbal, and might become even more scared if confronted by strangers. If you locate Parker, you’re asked not to approach him, and to instead keep him in sight and call 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. A missing person poster is available to download and print through the City of Calgary’s website.
