Burnaby RCMP have initiated a province-wide billboard campaign in their ongoing efforts to locate 11-year-old Kai Pavlovic, who went missing. The billboards will be strategically placed across various locations in the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia, starting this Friday. Burnaby RCMP Const. Joelle Kerridge emphasized the importance of public vigilance in spotting Kai, as investigators have been diligently working to find him since a wellness check request was received on September 26.
According to the authorities, Kai is believed to be in the company of an unidentified caretaker. While investigators have been in contact with Kai’s family and suspect he is still under the care of a guardian, they are appealing directly to this caretaker or anyone with information about them to come forward. Kerridge stressed the urgency of confirming Kai’s safety, urging the individual responsible for his care to cooperate with the RCMP.
Responding to inquiries about Kai’s safety, Kerridge mentioned that being under a caretaker’s supervision is not uncommon for him. She urged the public to pay attention to the billboards and reach out to Burnaby RCMP with any details about the caretaker’s identity.
Due to privacy concerns related to the ongoing investigation, Kerridge declined to discuss details of the family’s communications. Additionally, Burnaby RCMP is sharing information in Serbian due to Kai’s family ties to the Serbian community. Descriptions provided by the police indicate that Kai is approximately five feet tall, with a slender build and brown hair.
Individuals with any information on Kai’s whereabouts are urged to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 or their local police department. Despite the circumstances, an Amber Alert has not been issued as it does not meet the necessary criteria, per Kerridge. Amber Alerts in British Columbia are reserved for the most severe and time-sensitive child abduction cases, excluding parental abductions unless the child’s life is at risk.
To trigger an Amber Alert, specific conditions must be met, including the victim being under 18 years old, believed to be abducted and facing imminent danger, and sufficient information available about the victim, abductor, and/or vehicle involved. The alert must also be issued within a timeframe that offers a reasonable expectation of the child’s safe return.