Alberta to review Amber Alert criteria, day home policies after boy's death

Alberta is launching a review of its Amber Alert system and the policies of a Calgary day home after the tragic death of 11-year-old Parker Wells. The boy, who was non-verbal and had autism, went missing from a day home on July 16, 2026, and was found dead two weeks later.

The province's review will examine the criteria required for an Amber Alert to be issued. It will incorporate perspectives from law enforcement, disability advocates, and various community organizations. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis described Parker's death as heartbreaking and emphasized the government's desire to learn from the incident.

Parker's disappearance triggered an extensive two-week search involving hundreds of police officers and civilians. His body was discovered on July 29, deep within an underground pipe system near the Deerfoot Trail freeway in the city's north end. Although Amber Alerts are typically reserved for suspected abductions involving serious danger, an exception was made in Parker's case due to the unique circumstances, but the alert was issued two days after he was last seen.

Calgary police have also announced their own review into their response to the case. The investigation aims to understand how emergency alert systems currently function and to consider future options for improvement.

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By listening to law enforcement, disability advocates and community partners, we can better understand how emergency alerts are working today and what options should be considered for the future.