UPDATE: The body of 11-year-old Draven Graham was found in the Scugog River in Lindsay around 3:30pm Monday.
Draven Graham’s father remains optimistic his 11-year-old son with autism has been playing a game of hide-and-seek that has lasted far longer than anyone would like.
On Monday afternoon (June 13), Justin Graham, Draven’s father, spoke to reporters about his son and his disappearance almost 24 hours ago.
Draven, 11, was last seen on Queen Street in Lindsay at 3pm on June 12
Since then, a large-scale search has been underway to find him.
That search led to the discovery of Draven’s clothing, pants and T-shirt on Sunday afternoon.
Some have speculated that Draven may have removed them to go swimming in the nearby Scugog River. However, Graham believes his son took off his clothes because they were wet.
“Because it rained he got wet and he doesn’t like being… in (wet) clothes. Most autistic kids don’t like that,” Graham said.
He firmly believes that Draven is still hiding somewhere, something he’s known for.
“It’s probably all just a big game for him, but it’s not for us,” Graham said. “He’s never been gone that long.”
Draven was with Graham when he disappeared. Draven’s mother had turned up to pick up Graham’s youngest daughter when he decided to get a shave. He said he locked the door as usual, but when he came back into the room Draven was gone.
“I come out and look to the left and he wasn’t on the couch where he was before I went in there. I asked my daughter … if he was in her room and she said no,” Graham recalled. “I ran out the door and noticed the door was unlocked and I have another deadbolt on top. He (Draven) managed to put everything together at once to open the door and get out the door.”
Graham said he went to Queen Victoria Public School because they were there the day before. Graham said Draven loves parks and the outdoors.
“He probably thinks he’s just playing with Dad,” Graham said.
It wasn’t long before Draven was reported missing and his clothes were found.
Graham said his son also took a tablet with him, something he enjoys playing with. Graham said a neighbor’s security camera caught Draven walking down Caroline Street holding this tablet. That was just after 3 p.m. on Sunday. Graham said there were other rumors swirling that Draven might have been sighted around 7:45pm Sunday night
“He’s a great boy, friendly. He has high-functioning autism,” Graham said.
However, Graham said his son only speaks in small sentences and may not answer his name.
Since he was reported missing, the Lindsay community has flocked to help with the search. Hundreds of people have scoured the riverbanks, paths, and backyards for clues to Draven’s whereabouts.
Early Monday morning, the Durham-area Ontario Volunteer Emergency Response Team joined the search effort. Canine units from the OPP and Peterborough Police have joined the search along with police drones and the OPP helicopter crew. The OPP’s Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is also on the ground, stationed from a command post in Rivera Park.
“It’s great to see the community coming together to try to find this little boy and to use all of these resources,” said search volunteer Brent Leith. “We’ll keep going until we find this young fellow.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Sergeant Deb Hagarty held a press conference Monday morning to update the community on the incident. She said there was no evidence Draven was kidnapped.
late monday afternoon, Hagarty told social media that police wanted to speak to two teenagers who were out fishing in Rivera Park around 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. They are described as a tall man with glasses and a short man with a baseball cap.
As for the community response, Graham said he was blown away.
“I’m blown away,” Graham said. (I just want to say) thank you to the people who showed up to help.”
As for himself, Graham said he’s holding out as best he can, considering.
“I only run on adrenaline and caffeine. Mentally, I don’t even know what’s going on. I’m just trying to focus on finding him.”
Draven is described as 4’10 inches tall, slim, with brown hair and wearing a blue t-shirt and dark sweatpants.
Anyone with information about Draven’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 705-324-5252.