Search underway in Shamattawa for 6-year-old boy missing for more than a day

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Peggy

A large-scale search is underway in Shamattawa First Nation for a six-year-old boy who has been missing for more than a day, Manitoba RCMP say.

The boy, Johnson Redhead, attended a breakfast program at the school in the northeastern Manitoba First Nation until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, but didn’t show up in class after that, RCMP said in a Thursday afternoon news release.

Police were contacted at around 12:30 p.m.on Wednesday with reports he was missing.

Community members and RCMP officers started a large-scale search, combing wooded areas, trails, roads and sheds and checking construction equipment looking for the boy.

ATVs and other vehicles are being used for search, along with a search by foot.

The RCMP’s search and rescue team, along with personnel from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, are en route to help in the search, along with volunteers from Winnipeg Volunteer Search and Rescue, RCMP said. The Canadian Rangers will also help in the search in the community, about 750 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, RCMP said.

Anyone with information on Johnson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2351 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.