The first civilian search for the missing Jeffrey and Emma ended on Monday evening. At least 220 people have been looking for the children, but the search has not led to any concrete clues.
The search around the municipality of Oldambt in Groningen was ended before dark. The organizer of the action, Coordination Platform Missing Persons (CPV), assigned volunteers an area of 500 by 500 meters to search by car, bicycle, or on foot.
The volunteers mostly came from surrounding places. “The reason is very sad, but it does give a sense of community,” says a resident of Finsterwolde to the ANP.
Also, a couple who know both the brother and sister and the parents, find it nice to be able to do something. The children previously attended the same school as their own child. Wearing a yellow vest and blue picker, they went along the water and through the tall grass near their house, looking for trampled grass or suspicious places.
After consultation with the police, a decision will be made whether the civilian search will be held again on Tuesday. Volunteers may be able to start around 11:00 AM, CPV thinks.
Earlier on Sunday, tire tracks were found in the Carel Coenraadpolder in Groningen. These tracks led to the water, but after investigation, the children were not found.
Police Fear for the Lives of Children
Eight-year-old Emma and ten-year-old Jeffrey have been missing since Saturday afternoon. Their father, 67-year-old Klaas B., is suspected of kidnapping them. He is a man with a light complexion, white hair, and a white beard. He is between 1.70 and 1.75 meters tall and has a stocky build.
Police fear for the lives because there are indications that the father wants to kill himself and the children. That suspicion comes from, among other things, a letter found from the suspect.
Jeffrey is 1.50 meters tall and was wearing a yellow shirt, black shorts, and gray hiking boots. Emma is 1.30 meters tall. It is unknown exactly what clothes she was wearing. It is clear that she had purple sports shoes on.
In addition, the police are looking for a gray Toyota Avensis with license plate 77-NLV-4.