Delaine Copenace search: Volunteers step up after police suspend search

Volunteers in Kenora, Ont. continue their efforts to find missing teen Delaine Copenace after provincial police suspended their ground and underwater search on Monday.

Copenace, 16, was last seen in downtown Kenora on Feb. 27.

Dozens of volunteers continue to fan out across city and beyond, looking for the teen, said search coordinator Amanda Freeman, adding she was surprised to hear on social mediaabout the change by police.

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"It bothered me," she said. "I've been sitting here really, really frustrated for the last little bit since I found out and I want to know what their next steps are."

Police said they have thoroughly searched the downtown area and will continue to canvass residences and solicit tips from the public.

Freeman said more volunteers are needed now that the police are less involved in the search.

"We need the help, we need the people out there looking, sweeping areas with us," she said.

The group has been active for 15 days now, Freeman said and morale remains high even as fatigue sets in.

"It's definitely hard," she said. "But when your heart is in it, you're going to give it your all."