MY SON (WILL) COME BACK. I HAVE THAT FEELING.

place he was supposed to go,” he said.

Police said they received about 70 tips after triggering an Amber Alert on Tuesday afternoon, including a piece of information from a woman who said she saw someone matching the boy’s description at about 2 p.m. on Monday at a park not far from his home.

Deeming that piece of information credible, police officers and firefighters focused Wednesday’s search on the vast green space bordering the Riviere des Prairies.

“In these types of investigations, to a call from the local Ivorian association.

He said searchers were very worried, but still hopeful the boy would be found safe.

“It’s already been two to three days, and (it’s harder) with the snow, but we still have hopes of finding him,” Samassi said.

“We hope to find him at someone’s place, that someone took him in and will come forward.”

A police cruiser was parked outside the parents’ house in case Kouakou came home on his own.

Police said while the disappearance didn’t meet the criteria for an Amber Alert, they decided to issue one because of Kouakou’s age, the cold weather in Montreal and the fact he has no history of running away.

They said they lifted the Amber Alert late Tuesday night because the criteria to maintain it was no longer being met.

Durocher said police decided to use the alert to help spark the missing person investigation and find the woman who saw someone matching the boy’s description. He added there was no indication Kouakou had been abducted or that his life was in danger.

Police say the boy, who is French-speaking, is black, has black hair and black eyes and was wearing a black coat with a hood, grey pants and yellow shoes before he disappeared.

Local residents were told to remain vigilant and to keep an eye on any places a young boy may hide from the wintry weather.