Family, Bear Clan volunteers search for missing boy in North End

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This article was published 02/04/2022 (1452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Relatives of a missing 10-year-old Winnipeg boy joined Bear Clan Patrol volunteers, as they fanned out across the North End to search for the vulnerable child Saturday afternoon.

Brody Bruce’s grandfather, John Monkman, was one of about 30 people looking for the boy, who was last seen in St. Vital — about seven kilometres south of the search area — Tuesday morning.

“Everybody’s upset and just hoping for a good outcome,” said Monkman, as he walked along a back lane near Pritchard Avenue and Powers Street. “It’s taken its toll on (his mother). She hasn’t slept for a few days.”

Bruce has ADHD and behavioural issues, and has not taken his medication for five days as of Saturday, according to his worried family.

In a Facebook post, his mom, Holly, said he was staying over at his grandmother’s house, and left after asking if he could take her dog for a walk.

His grandmother saw the dog in the backyard about 30 minutes later, but Bruce was nowhere to be seen.

Monkman said his grandson doesn’t have a cellphone and likely isn’t carrying any money.

Bruce has left home before, but he has never been gone this long, said Monkman.

It’s believed Bruce made his way to the North End, based on possible sightings.

None of the sightings has been confirmed, said Monkman and city police spokesman Const. Rob Carver.

One tip suggested a boy was seen crying at or near the corner of Redwood Avenue and Aikins Street after being robbed Friday night. It’s not known if it was Bruce or if the tip was credible, said Bear Clan executive director Kevin Walker.

Walker and others checked the intersection and drove around the neighbourhood that night, but they didn’t see Bruce or a boy matching his description.

“All the leads are pointing to the North End as of now,” said Walker.

Monkman said he drove around the North End until about 11:30 p.m. Friday, and he resumed his search at about 6 a.m. Saturday before he and other family members joined Bear Clan volunteers in the afternoon.

Split into two groups, the team set off from Bear Clan’s office at 584 Selkirk Ave. at 1 p.m. to search streets, back lanes, yards and abandoned and unsecured structures, including garages.

They put up posters and showed a photo of Bruce to residents in case they had seen him or knew where he was.

“He’s a good kid. He’s a happy-go-lucky kid,” said Kirk Monkman, a cousin of Bruce’s mother. “Everyone’s worried about him.”

Bear Clan carried out a search after receiving a request from Bruce’s family, who’ve expressed gratitude to the group and police for their efforts.

In a Facebook post, Holly Bruce wrote she is “worried sick” about her son, as she urged people to keep an eye out for him and report any sightings.

“I just want Brody to come home now,” she wrote. “I have no clue the last time he ate, drank water, slept. He has missed five days of medication and will most likely (be) going through withdrawal.”

Walker said Bruce is vulnerable because of his young age.

“He’s only 10 and he’s small. A young child like that is vulnerable to anything,” he said. “We have to find him.”

Bear Clan has been offering emotional support to Bruce’s family.

“Every family struggles in this time. I can’t imagine what they’re feeling,” said Walker. “That’s why we’re going to do our best and try to relieve some of that pressure and give the family hope.”

Monkman asked people who see his grandson or know where he is to call police or Bear Clan Patrol.

“If anyone sees something, no matter how small it is, say something. Take a picture because this way we will know for sure if it’s not mistaken (identity),” he said.

Bruce is described as 4-10 and 105 pounds with a medium build, short brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black sweatpants, a grey hoodie, a fuzzy blue sweater and black running shoes.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Winnipeg police missing persons unit at 204-986-6250 or Bear Clan Patrol at 204-794-3568.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching