RCMP launch billboards to find missing Burnaby, B.C., 11-year-old Kai Pavlovic

CBC News

· Posted: Oct 17, 2025 4:12 PM EDT | Last Updated: 15 minutes ago

Burnaby RCMP are launching a B.C.-wide billboard campaign as they continue their search for missing 11-year-old Kai Pavlovic.

The billboards will be located in multiple locations throughout the Lower Mainland and the province starting Friday, according to police.

“We want everyone to be on the lookout for Kai. Our investigators are working tirelessly to locate him, and we are asking for the public’s help as part of that ongoing effort,” Burnaby RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Laura Hirst said in a news release.

RCMP say they first received a wellness check request for Kai on Sept. 26.

Burnaby RCMP say they believe Pavlovic is with an unknown caretaker. (Submitted by Burnaby RCMP)

Police believe he is with a "caretaker" — but they don't know who that person is.

“We are making a direct appeal to that caretaker or anyone who knows them,” said Hirst. “If you have Kai in your care, you need to come forward and contact the Burnaby RCMP. We need to confirm Kai’s safety and well-being.”

Police are also sharing a Serbian-language news release, as Kai's family has close connections to the Serbian community, according to Hirst.

Kai is about five feet tall, with a thin build and brown hair, according to police.

Police are asking anyone with information of Kai's whereabouts to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 or their local police department.

RCMP say Pavlovic's case doesn't meet the bar for issuing an Amber Alert. (Submitted by Burnaby RCMP)

Why no Amber Alert?

At this point, an Amber Alert has not been issued.

In B.C., Amber Alerts are issued for what the RCMP describe as the most serious, time-critical child abduction cases. They are not used for cases involving abductions by a parent, unless the situation is life-threatening.

If police want to issue an alert, the case must meet a special set of conditions. The victim must be under 18, and believed to be abducted and in imminent danger. Investigators must also have enough information about the victim, abductor and/or vehicle involved, and the alert must be able to be issued in a time frame that provides a reasonable expectation the child will be returned.