Police ask for flow of AI images, video to stop as search for missing boy continues

As the search for Parker Wells enters the fifth day, police are releasing new surveillance footage of the missing boy.

If you’re using artificial intelligence to create or edit materials related to the search for Parker Wells, just stop, Calgary police ask.

Or if you encounter such content about the missing 11-year-old, police ask that you not share it.

Police took to social media on Monday — Day 5 since the initial advisory that the boy had gone missing — to talk about the impact AI-generated images and video are having on their investigation.

“We are aware of AI-generated, altered and unverified images and videos circulating online that claim to show Parker or provide information about his whereabouts,” police said.

Among examples shown by police was a false report stating the 11-year-old had been found dead.

The search for the boy is very much still active, and the hope remains that he will be found alive.

Acting Staff Sgt. Scott Guterson called such false reports “despicable.”

He said police “don’t have the ability to stop bad information” but ask that people “put yourself in the shoes of the family.”

“We ask members of the public to refrain from creating or sharing altered images, AI-generated content or unconfirmed reports about Parker,” police said.

“If you encounter AI-generated images, altered videos or unofficial posts claiming to provide updates on Parker, please report the content to the platform and refrain from sharing it.”

Police said this material “can create confusion, spread misinformation and divert investigative resources away from credible leads.”

“The CPS carefully reviews and assesses all information received as part of this investigation,” police said.

“Any photographs, videos or updates that have been verified by investigators and are appropriate for public release will be shared directly through our official channels.”

CCTV or dash-cam footage can be uploaded directly to police online, here.

‘Harmful to families’

Amanda Pick, Missing Children Society of Canada CEO, echoed police in asking those creating or editing materials with AI to stop.

Pick said the ask of everyone else to not share such content is key to stopping the flow.

She said you “have an action there, too.”

“Don’t reshare. Don’t share that information, because it actually is harmful to the families,” Pick said.

“When we see people sharing negative conclusions around Parker’s location, that’s horrific.

“Can you imagine being impacted ... if that was your child? It’s already the most horrific experience this family will go through.”

The search for Parker

Hundreds of police officers and trained volunteers are involved in the search.

Calgarians are all asked to check their properties and keep an eye out.

Parker went missing from his day home in the 0 to 100 block of Connaught Drive N.W. sometime between 11:08 and 11:41 a.m. on Thursday.

Articles of clothing believed to belong to Parker were found that same day around noon in the 0 to 100 block of Northmount Drive N.W.

At 12:52 p.m. that day, he was seen in CCTV footage in the 5000 to 6000 block of Travis Crescent N.E.

Parker is 4’11” tall (150 cm) and approximately 90 pounds (41 kg) with brown hair and brown eyes.

When he was last seen, Parker was shirtless, wearing dark shorts and black noise-cancelling headphones.

Parker is neurodivergent and non-verbal and may become even more scared if confronted by strangers.

If you locate Parker, you’re asked not to approach him, and to instead keep him in sight and call 911.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

With files by Kevin Green, Melissa Gilligan