The boy who was missing along with his mother Dawn Walker that was found in Oregon has been reunited with his father’s family.
“When we heard that someone we love had gone missing, the world stopped spinning and nothing mattered but finding them,” the Jansen family said in a statement.
The family said that they walked and canoed the river looking for Walker and the seven-year-old boy, saying they scanned the Meewasin trail and peered into the water “contemplating the unthinkable.” They were hoping to find the boy and Walker but also hoping to not find them in the river.
“The agony of not knowing if a loved one is safe is something we would never wish on anyone. Our hearts ache for all the families out there still searching for missing loved ones,” the statement reads.
The family had also started a GoFundMe fundraiser and plan to use the remaining donations to find missing children and support other families with missing children.
“When we found out they were both safe there was sobbing, laughing, dancing, shouting, throwing of shoes and hugging. Even though we weren’t together, the family celebrated together. It feels as though we can finally breathe.”
The missing Saskatoon mother and her son were found alive and well according to the Saskatoon Police Service on Friday at around 11:30 a.m.
Dawn Walker and her son were discovered in Oregon City, Oregon.
The two illegally entered the United States, according to a news release Friday.
The Saskatoon Police Service said U.S. authorities are considering the implications and any potential action as a result of an illegal entry into the U.S.
It added that a press conference will be held on Monday.
Walker and her son were last seen on July 22 in Saskatoon, and her truck was found parked at Chief Whitecap Park on July 25.
Walker is the CEO of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 First Nations across Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatchewan RCMP, and a number of other organizations including the FSIN were searching for Walker and her son since they were reported missing.
The boy’s father created a website to help bring awareness and find his son.
Crimestoppers and police were offering a $10,000 reward for information to help find Walker and her son.
Walker’s mother Theresa gave a statement on the discovery of her daughter and grandson, saying that she was elated to hear both of them were safe.
“Our prayers have been answered. The past 15 days have been extremely difficult on our family and community,” said Theresa.
“We are extremely thankful to all those who helped with the search efforts, including the RCMP, Saskatoon Police Service, Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nation, the Prince Albert Grand Council Search and Rescue, Lloydminster Rescue, Grandmother’s Bay Search and Rescue, volunteers from Red Earth Cree Nation and Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and all of our family and friends.”
Comments