‘Entire city’ asked to help search for missing 11-year-old Parker: Calgary police

Calgary police are calling on the entire city to help search for a missing boy.

Police say officers, trained search volunteers and workers at partner agencies have been working around the clock to find 11-year-old Parker Wells after he disappeared from his day home in the 0-100 block of Connaught Drive N.W. sometime between 11:08 and 11:41 a.m. on Thursday.

Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson says its believed that the last time Parker was seen was in the community of Thorncliffe between 12:30 to 1 p.m. on Thursday.

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Parker is autistic and nonverbal, and police say he functions between the level of a two or three-year-old.

He is described as 4’11” tall (150 cm) and approximately 90 pounds (41 kg) with brown hair and brown eyes.

Articles of clothing believed to belong to him were found in the 0 to 100 block of Northmount Drive N.W.

Police believe he is shirtless, wearing grey shorts, black Sketchers and black noise-cancelling headphones.

Police warn that if you see Parker, you should not approach him.

Instead, keep your distance and contact police immediately.

‘Entire city’ asked to check yards

Guterson says the “entire city” is being asked to check their yards, sheds, garages, unlocked vehicles and RVs for Parker.

They’re also being asked to search their hot tubs and pools, as Parker likes water, police say.

“We’re asking everyone in the City of Calgary to check that,” he said.

“The Calgary police need the public’s assistance to help find Parker. There are literally a million eyes out there – we need each and every one of them to do the checks on their property.”

Guterson warned people not to enter anyone else’s private property.

“We have no reason to believe that Parker is not alive.”

Parents ‘incredibly distraught’

Guterson said Parkers’ parents are “incredibly distraught” over the disappearance of their son.

“They’re going through an unspeakable amount of emotional turmoil right now.”

He says more than 200 officers have been working together to search for the boy – a number which continues to grow.

Check your CCTV

Police say search efforts Friday focused on the northwest communities of Cambrian Heights, Thorncliffe, North Haven, North Haven Upper, Highwood, Highland Park, Greenview, Greenview Industrial Park, Nose Hill Park and other surrounding areas.

Police are also asking Calgarians to review their CCTV or dash-cam footage in case they’ve captured video of Parker.

CCTV or dash-cam footage can be uploaded online via the following link: https://cps.ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/ca26318270

Don’t interrupt

Police say as the search for Parker continues, the public may notice a heavy police presence in northwest communities, including the HAWCS helicopter, police dogs and police on horseback.

They ask members of the public to not interrupt search teams while they’re working.

No foul play

Police say there is nothing to indicate foul play is involved in Parker’s disappearance.

Instead, it’s believed he simply wandered off.

The case does not meet the threshold of an Amber Alert, but police are working with the Missing Children’s Society of Canada in hopes of finding him.

“The investigation will not stop until he’s found,” Guterson said.

How to help

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.