Search continues for missing six-year-old girl near Burns Lake

Six-year-old Oaklynn Schweder was last seen Thursday at her home in the rural community of Southbank.

Published Sep 21, 2024  •  2 minute read

Police are searching for six-year-old Oaklynn Schweder near Burns Lake. Photo by RCMP /sun

RCMP continue to search for six-year-old Oaklynn Schweder, who went missing Thursday from her home near Burns Lake.

The little girl was last seen at about 6 p.m. outside her house in the community of Southbank, about 25 kilometres south of Burns Lake, according to RCMP.

Police say she was wearing a red-and-blue plaid dress, leggings with white bowties and pink socks.

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Oaklynn is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal, said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alex Bérubé in a news release Friday. Police say she will babble and make noises to communicate and she likes to go into small spaces.

Police are working with search and rescue crews and Oaklynn’s family.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this girl is urged to contact their local police, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

RCMP say significant resources from across the province including the RCMP, Search and Rescue, BC Wildfire Service, as well as volunteers are in the area are assisting with the search.

Canadian rangers have also been called out to search, which is being aided by helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft systems and police dogs.

The Skin Tyee Band is engaged and assisting with coordinating volunteers and providing them with food and shelter, the RCMP said.

According to the family, Oaklynn is non-verbal but will babble and make noises to communicate and she likes to go into small spaces.

In a statement on Facebook, MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley Taylor Bachrach called on community members to help find Oaklynn.

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“If you are in the Southside area near Burns Lake, please keep your eye out. And if you’re able to assist, contact the authorities who are responsible for the search,” he wrote.

He also said he’d received several questions about why no Amber alert has been issued and pointed people to the RCMP’s page that outlines the criteria for Amber Alerts.

Amber Alerts are used in situations where a child is believed to have been abducted and is in imminent danger.

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