Alberta government announced on Monday that it will review the province's Amber Alert system and the operating procedures of a Calgary day home after the death of 11 year old Parker Wells, a child with autism.
Amber Alert criteria under review
The review will look at the conditions that must be met before an alert can be issued. Police, disability advocates and other community groups will be consulted. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said the tragedy was heartbreaking and that the government wants to learn from what happened.
Day home policies to be examined
Wells disappeared from a northern Calgary day home on July 27. A two week search involving hundreds of officers and volunteers swept city blocks and even played Disney music in an effort to locate him. Police said his body was found on July 29 deep inside an underground pipe system beneath the Deerfoot Trail freeway.
Amber Alerts are normally reserved for cases where police believe a child has been abducted and is in serious danger. In Wells's case an exception was made because of the unique circumstances, but the alert was not issued until two days after he was last seen.
Calgary police said they will also review their response to the incident. The province's review could lead to changes in how alerts are triggered for vulnerable children, a topic that may interest other provinces as they consider the balance between rapid public notification and the risk of false alarms.
Advocates hope the findings will improve safety for children with disabilities and provide clearer guidance for day homes across Canada.
Based on reporting by Global News.