Updated: Search continues for girl, 6, missing from Burns Lake

UPDATE: Oaklynn Schweder was found alive Sunday, Sept. 22.

Original story: With no sign of a six-year-old girl missing from the Burns Lake area, RCMP are using resources from across BC in the search.

Oaklynn Schweder was last seen outside her Southbank home on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

RCMP say she is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.

She was wearing a red-and-blue plaid dress, leggings with white bowties and pink socks.

In addition to RCMP the effort involves Search and Rescue, BC Wildfire Service and local volunteers are in the area assisting with the search.

Helicopters, drones and police dogs are in use. Canadian Rangers have also been called out to support continuing search efforts.

The Skin Tyee Band is engaged and assisting with co-ordinating volunteers and providing them with food/ shelter.

Her family says Oaklynn is non-verbal but will babble and make noises to communicate.

She likes to go into small spaces, the family told police.

“We are thankful for the outpouring of support including a large number of volunteers, who have all come together with the common goal of bringing Oaklynn home safely,” said Staff Sgt. Josh Smith, the Burns Lake RCMP detachment Cocmander. “Locating Oaklynn remains our top priority. We continue to liaise with Oaklynn’s family to ensure they supported and kept apprised.”

Local support and volunteers are being asked to carpool as space is limited and congestion could hinder current search and relief efforts.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Oaklynn is urged to contact Burns Lake RCMP at 250-692-7171. If you locate Oaklynn call police immediately or alert search teams and stay with her until help arrives.

RCMP originally reported Oaklynn's age as 7, correcting it Saturday, and later corrected the spelling of her surname.