Royal Canadian Mounted Police seeking public assistance in locating two missing girls

Two young girls have been reported missing from their Cochrane, Alberta home, but Royal Canadian Mounted Police have said that the case does not meet the criteria required to issue an Amber Alert despite repeated requests to do so from the father, Colin Zak.

"At this point in time, it is believed that the children are not at risk, that they're with people who care for them and [officers are] at this point, trying to locate them and conform everyone's welfare and safety, and make sure that this isn't something more than families that are concerned about the custody of the children," Constable Shelley Nasheim said on Saturday.

Officers confirmed that this appears to be the result of a "volatile court battle" but did not disclose the nature of the custody battle citing the open investigation.

It was determined that the two girls, 5-year-old Leonine O'Driscoll-Zak and 2-year-old Wyatt O'Discoll-Zak were missing on Friday, March 12 when Colin showed up to pick them up after having been awarded full custody earlier in the day.

They are believed to be in the custody of their grandmother 68-year-old Therese O'Driscoll and their aunt, 38-year-old Alison O'Driscoll.

RCPM have not released any information about their suspected whereabouts or the vehicle they may be driving and is seeking the public's assistance in locating them.

“Our Serious Crimes Unit continues to investigate along with assistance from other support units,” Corporal Tammy Keibel said yesterday. “However at this time, a specific area or location of interest where the girls may be has not yet been identified.”

Leonine is described as being approximately 4-feet tall and weighing about 60-pounds. She has a slim build, blue eyes, and long blond hair.

Wyatt is described as being approximately 3-feet tall and weighing about 40 pounds. She has a slim build, blue eyes, and long blond hair.

Alison is 5-feet 3-inches tall and weighs approximately 119 pounds. She has a slim build, blue eyes, and long brown hair.

Therese is 5-feet 2-inches tall and weighs approximately 119 pounds. She has a slim build, blue eyes, and medium-length grey hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cochrane RCMP at (403) 932-2211. Anyone wishing to submit a tip anonymously may do so through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.