The search for 10-year-old Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou continues.
The young boy was last seen Monday afternoon in Ahuntsic-Cartierville after he left home to visit a friend who ultimately wasn't home.
On Tuesday Montreal police issued an Amber Alert, even though the case did not meet the usual criteria. The Alerts are usually triggered in cases believed to be abductions.
"For example, we don't have a description of a person who would have kidnapped the boy, we don't have a description of the vehicle involved," Montreal police Sgt. Laurent Gingras told CTV Montreal.
Even with the Amber Alert being lifted officers continue to search the entire island, with the bulk of the search taking place in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. The search also includes the river.
"We need citizens to please look around -- look around your yard, your garage, look at possible locations where a 10-year-old kid could be hiding because of the weather," said police spokesperson Ian Lafreniere.
Prior to lifting the Alert investigators met with a woman who believed she saw Ariel in Parc des Bateliers, very close to his home, at about 2:00 P.M. Monday.
"I can assure you he's a good boy. My son is a shy boy, a non-violent boy. He likes people," the boy's father Kouadio Kouakou told CTV. "The thing I can tell you about him is he likes having friends over to play games, or he will go to visit his friends at their home."
Police said there may have been a small conflict over video games prior to the boy leaving home. His father told investigators he told his son he was not allowed to play them, and it's possible that is why Ariel decided to leave home.
Ariel is 4'7", and weighs 88 pounds. He has black hair, black eyes, dark skin and speaks French.
He was wearing a black hooded coat, grey pants, and yellow shoes.
Anyone with information about Ariel is urged to call police at 9-1-1 or to call Info Crime at 514-393-1133.
