Police bring in specialized canine unit as search resumes for missing Montreal boy
Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou, 10, was last seen March 12 at a park near his home
The search for a missing 10-year-old Montreal boy resumed Friday morning with the help of a canine unit.
Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou disappeared March 12 after he left his home in Montreal's north-end borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville to meet a friend. He was last seen in des Bateliers Park, which is about two minutes from his home.
Montreal police were accompanied Friday morning by a dog to search the Rivière des Prairies, which borders the park.
In the nearly three weeks that Ariel has been missing, divers have searched the frigid waters separating Montreal and Laval several times without success.
The nautical unit also set out again this week, but divers were hampered by thick ice.
On Friday morning, a boat was in the water to break up the ice and divers from the Montreal police were also at the scene.
Police believe boy drowned
While police are now focusing their search on the river, a group of officers, the boy's family and volunteers have also canvassed the neighbourhood.
Montreal police say they are considering all possible scenarios, but they believe that Ariel may have fallen and drowned in the river.
Here are details about Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou, who speaks French:
- About four-foot-seven, weighing 88 pounds.
- Dark hair and dark eyes.
- Last seen wearing a black coat with a hood, grey pants and yellow shoes.
With files from Radio-Canada and la Presse Canadienne