Edmonton father and two young children missing for 12 days, police seek public help

Edmonton police are searching for 42-year-old Scot MacDermid and his children George, 6, and Lesley, 9, last seen Aug. 28 near Manning Town Centre.

Edmonton father and children vanish after last sighting at northeast shopping complex

Global News Crime reports that Edmonton Police Service is appealing to the public for help locating a father and his two young children who have not been seen or heard from in 12 days.

Scot MacDermid, 42, was last spotted with his son George, 6, and daughter Lesley, 9, on Friday, Aug. 28, in north Edmonton. Their last known location was the Manning Town Centre shopping complex, near 155 Avenue and 37 Street in northeast Edmonton.

"As a result, police are concerned for their welfare," EPS said in a news release issued Tuesday night.

MacDermid is described as five feet five inches tall, weighing approximately 160 lbs, with brown hair and blue eyes. His son George stands four feet two inches tall and weighs about 45 lbs, with short, curly brown hair and brown eyes. His daughter Lesley is four feet four inches tall, also approximately 45 lbs, with medium-length curly brown hair and brown eyes.

Despite the children being among the missing, EPS did not issue an Amber Alert. A police spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that the alert was considered but that the activation criteria under provincial law are not currently met.

"An activation may be reassessed if new information is received or there is a relevant change," the spokesperson said. "As this remains an active investigation, we are unable to provide further details regarding that assessment."

Amber Alerts in Alberta are reserved for cases of child abduction and must satisfy four specific criteria established by provincial legislation before they can be activated.

The case surfaces amid a broader conversation in Alberta about notification gaps for missing children. After a non-verbal boy with autism went missing in Calgary this past summer and was found dead in a culvert pipe system nearly two weeks later, his mother began advocating for a new type of alert — an "indigo alert" — aimed at missing neurodivergent children. The name draws on the deep purple colour associated with autism awareness.

Police have asked the public not to approach MacDermid, George, or Lesley if spotted. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact EPS at 780-423-4567, or dial #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or through their website.

Source: Global News Crime