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The search for six-year-old Johnson Redhead, missing since Wednesday in Shamattawa, Man., continues to expand with more resources being deployed.
In an update on social media, the RCMP says that multiple teams are conducting grid searches throughout the area.
Search teams include members from RCMP Search and Rescue, Winnipeg Search and Rescue (WinSAR), the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and several First Nations, including Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and Tataskweyak Cree Nation.
Mounties say that "The community has also shown tremendous support by joining in the search."
Later Sunday evening, a five-person team from Garden Hill First Nation is expected to arrive to provide additional assistance as the search for Redhead intensifies.
RCMP have brought in Police Service Dog Phlex, who arrived in the community a couple days ago with his handler and is now actively involved in the search. Two drones are currently scanning the area, and a helicopter will be deployed as soon as weather conditions allow. Additional officers from Thompson are also en route to assist.
"This search has not stopped in intensity from the moment we received the report up to the present," said Sergeant Mark Svaren, Shamattawa RCMP Detachment Commander in an update on Saturday. "Within minutes of the report, Shamattawa RCMP officers were engaged with the community in the search, and I cannot stress enough how community involvement has been strong and steady from the moment it was realized that Johnson was missing."
The Shamattawa RCMP first received a report of the missing boy at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Johnson had attended his school’s breakfast program but did not return to class afterward.
RCMP officers, along with community members, have been searching the area, focusing on wooded spaces, trails, sheds, and construction sites. The RCMP’s Search and Rescue Team, volunteers from Winnipeg Volunteer Search and Rescue (WinSar), the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and Canadian Rangers have also joined in the efforts.
Anyone with information on Johnson’s whereabouts is urged to contact Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2351, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
The community is located approximately 745 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.