'He wouldn't do this to us': Search continues for missing boy as mother pleads for answers
Samuel Bird, 14, has been missing since June 1 after leaving a friend's home
The family of a missing boy are desperately searching for answers as community members join ongoing ground searches in Edmonton.
Samuel Bird, 14, left home to visit a friend in the Canora neighbourhood in west Edmonton the evening of June 1.
He was later reported to be seen leaving the friend's home on foot, but never returned home, according to Edmonton police.
He has not been seen by friends or family since.
Samuel's mother, Alanna Bird, and her family have been going on ground searches, looking for more information on what might have happened.
Her concern is that her boy has been hurt.
"We have our ups and downs. I'm just hoping we could find out what happened to him, or some closure, because that's the really hard part, is not knowing, just hoping for a miracle," Bird told CBC on Thursday.
"Maybe he's out there somewhere, but Sam wouldn't do this to us. And when I say he wouldn't, he wouldn't. He always kept in touch with me no matter what."
Bird is described as being five foot eight inches tall with a slim build. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
The circumstances behind her son's disappearance has left Bird seeking answers.
"I just want Samuel to know that no one gave up on him and how much he was loved and supported," Bird said.
The first ground search was held on July 19 in the river valley near Victoria Park.
Another one will take place this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Terra Losa north parking lot at 9908 170 Street.
MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse was among dozens who conducted a ground search for Samuel this past weekend.
Stonehouse, who is MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford, said it was inspiring seeing many members of the community help search.
"It was a difficult day, and it has been difficult since, as we continue to search," Stonehouse said.
"[The family] is doing everything they can to find their child, to find their grandchild, and are absolutely frustrated with the systems, and they also want to make sure that this never happens to another family and that change is made so people are supported and that there are folks doing the work of looking for missing children."
The disappearance of Bird, who is from Paul First Nation, is an example of the continued colonial crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, Stonehouse said.
The latest data from the federal government shows 225 Indigenous people were victims of homicide across Canada in 2022 with 169 being men and boys. About 33 per cent of the male victims were reported missing at the time of their death.
"I'm thankful for the Red Dress Day and now the Blue Jean Jacket Day as both days are used to create awareness that Indigenous people are going missing in this province and in this country, and sadly, they're often turning up murdered with very little information, no one's held accountable," Stonehouse said.
"It takes all of us to change the situation. If you know something, reach out to the authorities … I mean, there are little things that all of us can do to make our cities, our province and our country a safe place for everybody."
Bird said she has received a series of disturbing, violent videos and images, allegedly involving her son. Police said they are investigating.
"The EPS is aware of these images circulating online depicting violent events. Investigators are working to determine the source and authenticity of the images and as such, at this time, the EPS cannot confirm whether this is connected to the missing 14-year-old youth, Samuel Bird," EPS communications advisor Cheryl Voordenhout said in a statement on Wednesday.
CBC also requested further information on why EPS put out a news release on July 11 about Bird's disappearance, more than a month after he was reported missing.
"With respect to the timeline, it's important to note that a news release is not the first step in a missing persons investigation, and it is not the only thing being done to find a missing person. Officers have a number of investigative tasks they complete, often before a news release is considered," Voordenhout said.
"The timing of a media release is carefully considered within the broader context of an investigation. I can assure you that Samuel's disappearance is being investigated extremely thoroughly and with the utmost urgency."
A candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Rossdale Memorial Park after the next ground search.
with files from Liam Harrap