The OPP is releasing additional information into its investigation surrounding missing toddler Kaden Young as the community continues to search for answers.
With some members of the public questioning why police haven’t released certain information, Dufferin OPP Const. Paul Nancekivell explained several details are being withheld for investigative purposes.
“It’s still an ongoing investigation and we’re not trying to hide anything,” Nancekivell said. “It’s going to unfold as it unfolds and we’re going to take our time and do a complete and thorough investigation.”
Nancekivell confirmed a child was in the minivan swept into the flood-swollen Grand River early on Feb. 21. With hundreds of civilian searchers still scouring the banks of the Grand River, details about what the child was wearing that night haven’t been released to the public.
“We have the clothing description. We’re not releasing it. … That way if we get tips coming in, we can focus that way,” Nancekivell explained, noting police have not officially released the name of the missing boy either.
“Social media has, and we’re not confirming that,” he said. “We’re respecting the wishes of the family. And there’s been some fights on Facebook which we’re not going to get in the middle of or involved with.”
Efforts to recover the three-year-old have continued since the fast-moving waters snatched him from his mother’s arms. The river, bloated by days of rain and meltwater run-off, took the minivan after the vehicle drove through a road closure in the fog.
“We know she was returning from Grand Valley, and she, for whatever reason, didn’t stop at the road closures and drove around it and unfortunately got into trouble with the flooding water,” Nancekivell said.
“She tried to get her baby out and herself out. She got out and got the baby out and the baby slipped from her grip and washed down the stream.”
The OPP is still in the early stages of its investigation. Charges have not been laid, but Nancekivell said people continue to be interviewed as part of that ongoing probe.
“There’s been no charges laid or anything like that,” he said, before asked whether charges may be pending. “That remains to be seen. Not at this time, I’m not aware of it.”
The search for Kaden has drawn the help of hundreds of determined volunteers spanning from across Ontario. With each passing day, however, the speculation on social media has grown louder.
The OPP has been monitoring those social media channels. Nancekivell said many of the comments found online have been particularly unfair to the toddler’s family.
“They’re grieving right now and people need to respect that and show some compassion,” he said. “If we’re going to put something out in a media release, it’s backed up with facts confirmed by our investigators and our researchers. That’s why we don’t confirm social media. So much of the stuff on there are comments and opinions without base and without fact.”
The OPP’s emergency response search and rescue team and canine units continued to search for the boy on Tuesday, March 5. This marked Day 13 in the search for Kaden.
Throughout the search, Nancekivell said the OPP helicopter has been used at least a half-dozen times. The OPP’s dive team has been at the scene four times. Canine units have been brought in at least four or five times as well.
“We’ve pretty much thrown all our resources at it, short of a marine unit,” Nancekivell said. “The river is not conducive with all the obstructions underneath to put a boat in there at this point. We’ve pretty well used all the resources we have available that we think would make a difference in this so far.”
