Missing girl Oaklynn Schweder found alive by volunteer search team

Oaklynn Schweder, the six-year-old girl reported missing from the Burns Lake area, was found alive Sunday after a weekend of intense searches of the area.

The RCMP confirmed her safe return Sunday evening.

"She was found in a forested area previously searched between her residence and the band office, leaving searchers to believe she was likely moving around during the time she was missing," the RCMP stated.

A video posted to Facebook shows someone carrying a child wrapped in a blanket toward a waiting vehicle. Unconfirmed social media reports from the scene state Oaklynn is being taken to a hospital to be checked over after a volunteer search team found her.

“This is the outcome that we all hoped for, she was missing for multiple days, but everyone searching remained dedicated to bringing her home safely,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Smith, Burns Lake RCMP detachment commander. “We are thankful for the support of all our partner agencies and volunteers that worked day and night to achieve this outcome.“

Oaklynn, a member of the Skin Tyee Nation, was last seen outside her Southbank home on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

Police and community members combed the area looking for the girl, described as non-verbal and on the autism spectrum. The effort was later joined by search and rescue teams from other communities, including a Nanaimo group, and the Canadian Rangers. Searchers used helicopters, drones and dogs.