CANADA Canada - Jack, 4 & Lilly Sullivan, 6, Vulnerable, wandered from home 10am, Gairloch Rd, Landsdowne Station, Pictou County, NS, 2 May 2025 #2

[MistyWaters]

If the police have evidence that the parents failure to provide the necessaries of life (example supervise) let to the children going missing then there is a criminal charges that can be brought without a body.

In these cases police usually are strategic about this though if they believe something worse happened. Sometimes charging a parent with this can lead to the parents no longer talking to police about anything (once they invoke rights to counsel). Other times in an effort to claim their innocence for the lesser charge they start talking more, spilling the beans on the other parent etc.

Investigators have a lot to consider in situations like that and its case by case.

In terms of legal responsibility, on the topic of possibly neglect, the biomom would certainly be responsible for care of her children but what of her partner? They’re not married, although living common-law but it doesn’t seem as if he would be considered a custodial parent to the 2 eldest, just because she chose to move in with him.

 

[Stunned]

I have a funny feeling that the timeline is off about a day.

If the timeline was off, I wonder if something was happening that weekend that caused the children to be reported Friday? IMO

 

[swanniee11]

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[iamafiusny]

If the timeline was off, I wonder if something was happening that weekend that caused the children to be reported Friday? IMO

That's an interesting thought.

I've read a lot about what might have happened leading up to Friday morning, but hadn't considered something upcoming.

Moo

 

[Andromeda]

I find it odd that DM immediately got in the car and started looking in ditches, etc. Neither ever mentions whether the first thing they did was go knock on the door of the camper van and ask the grandmother and brother if the kids were there or whether they had seen them. I also find it odd that the only time I heard about a dog was at least four days later. A dog really does change the narrative to me because kids and dogs just go together. Where is the dog? Is it friendly? Have we even seen it? Is it left to run loose? I also find it odd that the grandmother and other son have kept such a low profile we haven't had any comments from either other than when she ordered MBM's mother off the property.

JMO, it could be both grandmother and brother were at work? I would imagine police are interviewing everybody between the house and school and numbers that pinged the cell towers from Tuesday afternoon after the bus driver dropped them off to when the 911 call was made. The properties are surrounded by dense woodland. The houses are not closely spaced. So, I could see him getting in a car to look for the kids if he thought they left the property via the drive-way/not the backyard into the forest. (Why he would have hopped on the ATV.) jmo/moo

 

[Diddian]

Definitely, it would be a concern if they installed water and septic; however, I think the company that would be drilling the well would be provincially/municipally regulated to plug any perc testing bore holes (especially soil for the septic bed) for liability reasons.

Interesting thought about the kids. But, imo, wouldn’t there be a motive/incentive for a parent to want to do that? As you point out, one was step-dad’s biological child. So he would be 100% responsible for supporting that child. Who knows if she was receiving support from Lilly and Jack’s biological father. But, there are provincial and federal benefits available to struggling parents in Canada. For instance, I suspect she would still qualify for at least the Child Tax Benefit based on their combined net income. I suspect since she has been presented as a full-time mom, she would at least qualify for a portion of the allowable benefit for the two oldest, if not 100% of the benefit for the youngest given DM’s employement status (cut hours/slow work). This is just one benefit open to her.

There has been no mention of life insurance at any point during the investigation.

I’m so jaded. I have so many thoughts around money, now and why, for example, would someone want to broadcast their status to the world?

Here is a link to explaining the Canadian government’s Child Tax Benefit parameter and how to apply for it.
How much can you get - Canada child benefit (CCB) - Canada.ca

Here is a link to how the parents can go about obtaining possibly free legal aid in the province of Nova Scotia.
Qualifying for Nova Scotia Legal Aid | Nova Scotia Legal Aid

They are "partners" rather than married, and I wonder if that is because some kind of child-related benefit would be reduced if they were married. I have also wondered if the mother moving out from her partner's home may have something to do with child-related benefits dependent upon being a single parent and the now public revelation that she is living with someone with whom she has another child. I don't know about Canada, but in some similar circumstances in the USA, a person may have to pay back benefits previously received under the assumption of single-parenting and non-cohabitation once it is learned that assumption is not true. I hate even thinking about such considerations involving missing children, but I could see independent motivations on the part of each of the two adults that might be served by the children disappearing - whether they have been abandoned somewhere, killed and disposed of, given away or sold for informal adoption, or given to a noncustodial parent.

IMO, I even wonder if the mother's insistence upon an Amber Alert and the possibility of an abduction might be because she suspects her partner has given away or sold the children so that he may then marry her (if she has been resistant to marriage because of associated loss of benefits).

 

[Sailor Bug]

First Nations children may also be eligible for compensation through the First Nations Child and Family Services Settlement. Indigenous children may also qualify for funding through Jordan's Principle, which helps them access essential services.

 

[seasideForest]

Wonder if these 2 videos from SAR in Nova Scotia have been posted?

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6753643

This about reactions from the SAR from Cape Breton when they returned home after the search for Lilly and Jack was reduced.

This one isn't directly about this case, but they do show some footage of the search for Lilly and Jack. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6758265

 

[AcerPacer]

Has there just been a statement released by Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon of Pictou County RCMP?

It's just been posted on Facebook and I know I am not allowed to link fbk posts here.

 

[AcerPacer]

Has there just been a statement released by Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon of Pictou County RCMP?

It's just been posted on Facebook and I know I am not allowed to link fbk posts here.

I have linked the page and reported my comment so the mods can decide if the link is allowed here.
IMO JMO
Officers have identified 35 people for formal interviews including community members and those closest to the children

 

[Sarahlou]

Has there just been a statement released by Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon of Pictou County RCMP?

It's just been posted on Facebook and I know I am not allowed to link fbk posts here.

You can post it if it's from the RCMP official page.

 

[Andromeda]

In terms of legal responsibility, on the topic of possibly neglect, the biomom would certainly be responsible for care of her children but what of her partner? They’re not married, although living common-law but it doesn’t seem as if he would be considered a custodial parent to the 2 eldest, just because she chose to move in with him.

Actually, the father would be legally responsible too, based on what the Criminal Code says:
Criminal Code

Duty of persons to provide necessaries

• 215 (1) Every one is under a legal duty
  
  • (a) as a parent, foster parent, guardian or head of a family, to provide necessaries of life for a child under the age of sixteen years;
  • (b) to provide necessaries of life to their spouse or common-law partner; and
  • (c) to provide necessaries of life to a person under his charge if that person
    
    • (i) is unable, by reason of detention, age, illness, mental disorder or other cause, to withdraw himself from that charge, and
    • (ii) is unable to provide himself with necessaries of life

 

[iamafiusny]

I have linked the page and reported my comment so the mods can decide if the link is allowed here.
IMO JMO
Officers have identified 35 people for formal interviews including community members and those closest to the children

I can't see fb, so thank you for adding this.

 

[Andromeda]

Child Abuse Laws in Canada
Child Abuse

Failure to Provide the Necessities of Life​

Section 215 of the Code makes it a legal requirement of a parent, foster parent, guardian or head of a family to provide necessaries of life for a child under 16. This charge can be laid if a failure to perform that duty endangers a child's life or is likely to cause their health to be affected. The Code adds that evidence that you failed to provide the necessities of life to a child under 16 for one month is enough to bring this charge. If this charge is handled as an indictable offence the maximum penalty is a five-year prison or a less harsh sentence if it is prosecuted as a summary conviction.

Section 215 of the Code
Criminal Code

 

[seasideForest]

Has there just been a statement released by Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon of Pictou County RCMP?

RSBM


'The Pictou County District RCMP, with the assistance of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, continue to investigate the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan.

"We're exploring all avenues in this missing persons investigation," says Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP. "We have officers from multiple disciplines dedicated to finding Lilly and Jack, including highly trained RCMP major crime and forensic investigators."

To date, more than 180 tips have been received from the public, and are being followed up on. Officers have so far identified 35 people for formal interviews as part of the investigation, including community members and those closest to the children. And on May 8 and 9, the RCMP's Underwater Recovery Team (URT) scoured bodies of water around Lansdowne Station; URT's two-day operation didn't uncover any evidence.

"We continue to work day and night on this file," says S/Sgt. MacKinnon. "Like all Nova Scotians, we want answers, and we want to know what happened to these children."

On May 2, at approximately 10 a.m., Pictou County District RCMP received a report that Lilly and Jack were missing. They were believed to have wandered away from their home on Gairloch Rd. A multi-agency search and missing persons investigation began immediately.

The search, which was scaled back to specific areas on May 7, has covered 5.5 square kilometres of heavily wooded, rural terrain in the Gairloch Rd. area. It has involved up to 160 trained volunteer searchers and many others, and tens of thousands of search hours. Efforts to locate Lilly and Jack also included two vulnerable missing persons alerts.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

Our thoughts continue to be with the children's loved ones and the community at this difficult time.

Note to media: As this is an active, ongoing investigation, information will be released as it becomes available.

File #: 2025-583775 '

From: Update: Missing children investigation and search in Pictou County | Royal Canadian Mounted Police

 

[iamafiusny]

They are "partners" rather than married, and I wonder if that is because some kind of child-related benefit would be reduced if they were married. I have also wondered if the mother moving out from her partner's home may have something to do with child-related benefits dependent upon being a single parent and the now public revelation that she is living with someone with whom she has another child. I don't know about Canada, but in some similar circumstances in the USA, a person may have to pay back benefits previously received under the assumption of single-parenting and non-cohabitation once it is learned that assumption is not true. I hate even thinking about such considerations involving missing children, but I could see independent motivations on the part of each of the two adults that might be served by the children disappearing - whether they have been abandoned somewhere, killed and disposed of, given away or sold for informal adoption, or given to a noncustodial parent.

IMO, I even wonder if the mother's insistence upon an Amber Alert and the possibility of an abduction might be because she suspects her partner has given away or sold the children so that he may then marry her (if she has been resistant to marriage because of associated loss of benefits).

There probably doesn't need to be a reason beyond the bond not being as strong, or even there at all.

Maybe they were being "annoying", or keeping his baby awake.

Jmo

 

[AcerPacer]

I have linked the page and reported my comment so the mods can decide if the link is allowed here.
IMO JMO
Officers have identified 35 people for formal interviews including community members and those closest to the children

Update: Missing children investigation and search in Pictou County – Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers
There we go!

 

[AcerPacer]

RSBM


'The Pictou County District RCMP, with the assistance of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, continue to investigate the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan.

"We're exploring all avenues in this missing persons investigation," says Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP. "We have officers from multiple disciplines dedicated to finding Lilly and Jack, including highly trained RCMP major crime and forensic investigators."

To date, more than 180 tips have been received from the public, and are being followed up on. Officers have so far identified 35 people for formal interviews as part of the investigation, including community members and those closest to the children. And on May 8 and 9, the RCMP's Underwater Recovery Team (URT) scoured bodies of water around Lansdowne Station; URT's two-day operation didn't uncover any evidence.

"We continue to work day and night on this file," says S/Sgt. MacKinnon. "Like all Nova Scotians, we want answers, and we want to know what happened to these children."

On May 2, at approximately 10 a.m., Pictou County District RCMP received a report that Lilly and Jack were missing. They were believed to have wandered away from their home on Gairloch Rd. A multi-agency search and missing persons investigation began immediately.

The search, which was scaled back to specific areas on May 7, has covered 5.5 square kilometres of heavily wooded, rural terrain in the Gairloch Rd. area. It has involved up to 160 trained volunteer searchers and many others, and tens of thousands of search hours. Efforts to locate Lilly and Jack also included two vulnerable missing persons alerts.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

Our thoughts continue to be with the children's loved ones and the community at this difficult time.

Note to media: As this is an active, ongoing investigation, information will be released as it becomes available.

File #: 2025-583775 '

From: Update: Missing children investigation and search in Pictou County | Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Thank you

 

[Skigh]

Is this sounding as if they are now moving away from the theory of the children wandering away?


We're exploring all avenues in this missing persons investigation," says Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP. "We have officers from multiple disciplines dedicated to finding Lilly and Jack, including highly trained RCMP major crime and forensic investigators."

 

[Fruit]

I just listened to the interview of the stepdad 6th May - IMO you could hear his heartbreak crack his voice when talking about the possibility of abduction and/or realizing the fact that they might not be alive anymore. I have a hard time believing that could be theatrical.
With that being said - I have a hard time understanding the possibility of the mother having some sort of foul play, believing the stepdad when he says he saw Lilly before the silence - and they both where in bed with each other until they realized they where gone.
So my mind wanders to who could have abducted these two children while the parents are at home, without there being a confrontation between the kids and a possible abductor. And without any other traces than the people actually living there.

Hmm.
MOO