5-year-old Leonine O’Driscoll-Zak and 2-year-old Wyatt O’Driscoll-Zak - RCMP investigating their disappearance as an abduction. (Supplied/RCMP)

By Josh Hall/RedDeerNewsNow

RCMP continue search for missing children and two adults from Cochrane

Mar 20, 2021 | 3:38 PM

COCHRANE, AB. — RCMP confirm the Serious Crimes Branch continues its search for two young girls and two adults last seen Friday, March 12.

Mounties said in a media release a week ago that they were investigating the situation as an abduction. They later stated not all criteria had been met in order to issue an Amber Alert.

Leonine O’Driscoll-Zak, 5, and Wyatt O’Driscoll-Zak, 2, are believed to be in the company of their grandmother, Therese O’Driscoll, 68, and their aunt Alison O’Driscoll, 38, all from the Cochrane area.

They were all last seen at approximately 9:30 a.m. March 12 at the children’s home, a rural residence in Cochrane.

RCMP now say it is not believed the four have left Canada, and that they are all still together.

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“Investigators understand that there are many people who are sympathetic to the custody situation of these children. RCMP are imploring anyone with information to please contact them,” RCMP say in a new release issued late Friday night.

“RCMP believe the O’Driscolls are receiving assistance to avoid apprehension. The RCMP is making a request of anyone who may be assisting the O’Driscolls in hiding the children to contact police.

“Those assisting the O’Driscolls may believe they are acting in the best interests of the children, however those who assist in the commission of a criminal offence can be charged criminally with aiding and abetting.”

Information about a suspect vehicle has not yet been shared.

If you have any information in relation to their current location, please contact the Cochrane RCMP at 403-932-2211. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.