Calgary police warn public about food safety and scams tied to Parker Wells search
Authorities caution well-intentioned residents to avoid leaving perishable food for the missing 11-year-old as search efforts expand and fraudulent fundraising campaigns surface.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calgary Police Service has issued two urgent warnings as the search for missing 11-year-old Parker Wells enters its second week: be cautious about leaving food in public spaces, and watch out for fraudulent fundraising.
Well-intentioned residents have been placing food and water labeled "Parker" in parks and public areas across the city. While police have no issue with water, they're asking people to avoid perishable food given the warm weather and the risk of spoilage. Any food left out should be non-perishable—granola bars, for example—or not left at all.
Police have also made Parker's missing-person poster available in nine languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, Ukrainian, Hindi, and Polish. "Please consider sharing it with your family, friends, neighbours, workplaces and community groups to help expand our reach and keep Parker's photo visible throughout Calgary and surrounding areas," CPS said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe campaign has surfaced claiming to support Parker's case. Police say it is unauthorized and has no connection to his family. "This fundraiser is not authorized & has no connection to Parker's family. At this time, the family has confirmed that there is no official GoFundMe associated with this case," CPS warned. Police are urging the public to verify the legitimacy of any online fundraiser before contributing.
Anyone with information about Parker's whereabouts, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage of him, is asked to call Calgary Police at 403-266-1234.
The facts
What languages is Parker Wells' missing-person poster available in?
Calgary Police Service has made Parker Wells' missing-person poster available in nine languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Tagalog, Russian, Ukrainian, Hindi, and Polish.
Is there an official GoFundMe for Parker Wells?
No. A GoFundMe campaign claiming to support Parker's case is unauthorized and has no connection to his family. Calgary Police Service confirmed that the family has not established any official GoFundMe for this case.
What food should people leave out for Parker Wells?
Calgary Police Service is asking residents to avoid leaving perishable food in public spaces due to warm weather and spoilage risk. Only non-perishable items like granola bars should be left, or no food at all; water is acceptable.
