Police in Regina are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Tamra Jewel Keepness. They also have a new toll-free phone number and email address to handle tips.
Investigators have suspended the search for the five-year-old girl, who was last seen going to bed Monday July 5. They say they've covered some target areas three times over with no sign of the little girl.
Deputy police chief Clive Weighill said police had searched many places, including an abandoned school, all vacant garages and homes, any building with a flat roof, garbage dumpsters, sewer catch basins and manholes, and open fields.
Police say they have no evidence of Tamra or any of her personal effects.
Regina Police Chief Cal Johnston, in his first public statement on the case since Tamra disappeared, suggested those they have questioned have not been fully cooperative.
"There were comings and goings from that house that haven't been explained to our full satisfaction," he said, appearing to choose his words carefully.
He would not confirm speculation that there was a party going on the night Tamra went missing.
Regina police have contacted police departments in other cities to follow up on leads. They say despite the wide-ranging investigation, they have no indication of where Tamra might be.
"As each day passes, the likelihood that this incident will end happily diminishes," Johnson said. "The possibility that Tamra met with an accident or other misadventure becomes remote."
The focus of the investigation is now shifting to the criminal side. Police say that as time goes on, the possibility that Tamra has met with "human interference" increases.
Police say they expect to conduct about 60 interviews in their investigation next week. They've already conducted more than 100 interviews so far. They say they're eliminating some possibilities, while learning about others.
Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco became visibly emotional at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. He paused several times during his speech, and took sips of water while regaining his composure.
"Every child is a precious vessel for all our hopes and dreams for the future," Fiacco said.
"To Tamra's parents and extended family, the imagination fails. We empathize with you. We cannot know your feelings but we hope that Tamra will be found and that she will be safe and well."
Tamra's mother, Lorena Keepness, didn't speak after the news conference, but she plenty to say Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside her home, she was extremely critical of the investigation, saying they hadn't been following up on tips. She was also upset that her family has been repeatedly hauled in for questioning.
Anyone with information or tips is asked to call 1-866-80-TAMRA or e-mail tips@police.regina.sk.ca
