A massive search for two young children in rural Nova Scotia continues for a fifth straight day.

Lily and Jack Sullivan, four and six-years-old, wandered away from a home on Gairloch Road in Lansdown Station in Pictou County last week.

RCMP said operators worked overnight Monday using four drones using infrared technology.

“The RPAS, also known as drones, are effective at night because they use Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology to spot differences in temperature, which can point people towards specific areas for on the ground searches,” said RCMP.

RCMP said these were in addition to continuous efforts of ground search and rescue teams as well as other supports from around the province.

Spokesperson Cpl. Carlie McCann noted that there is no evidence to suggest the children were abducted. Because of this, she explained, an Amber Alert has not been issued.

However, a vulnerable person’s alert was issued Friday and again Saturday, in an expanded area including Antigonish County, Colchester County and Pictou County.

Plea for help

Lily and Jack have been missing since Friday, May 2.

In a desperate attempt to find the children, the stepfather Daniel Martell is pleading to the public for help.

He told our newsroom he is beside himself.

“Anyone with information, please come forward as fast as possible,” said Martell.

He added, there is a dense forest and rough streams and he, himself searched 20 or 30 acres when they first went missing.

“I did all around the house in the four-wheeler, ATV. I did as much as a could on the first day and the second day,” said Martell.

The search has now expanded too far, he says, for him to be out.

Hitting hard

The Warden of The Municipality of Pictou said the tragedy has hit the community hard.

Robert Parker told our newsroom it is the most upset he’s seen residents since the Westray Disaster.

“I’ve seen some of the most stoic people that I know, that normally don’t seem bothered by …or don’t show it anyway… about anything, but they’re certainly showing it,” said Parker.

“Our children are special, and they say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the village in this case is certainly all of Pictou County and beyond.”

Parker added, despite anxiety, there is still hope and nobody is giving up, however, he also does not want people to jump to conclusions.

“The idea is to stay positive here, I think and trust the searchers to do their job and pray for a positive outcome,” said Parker.