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Search efforts for a four-year-old boy who went missing on Thursday in Prince Albert became focused on the river on Friday afternoon.

“After numerous witness interviews conducted by police investigators as well as evidence located, the unified search command team are focusing all search efforts to the North Saskatchewan River,” a Prince Albert Police Service news release said.

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Sweetgrass Kennedy was last seen on Thursday around 3 p.m. in the 900 block of Second Street East in Prince Albert, wearing a light blue Star Wars bunny hug and orange Halloween pyjama pants. Police had previously asked businesses in the area to check their video footage.

Photo by (Supplied/Prince Albert Police Service) / Saskatoon

Search and rescue personnel, including the Saskatoon Police Service air support unit, the P.A. fire department and Saskatchewan Emergency Management and Fire Safety, have been deployed.

“Due to the dangers associated with the river bank, emergency personnel are asking the public and volunteers to avoid the area,” the news release said.

Hundreds of volunteers had been aiding the search, but the volunteer search efforts were ended after police received the new information.

Emergency crews extended their thanks to the volunteers who helped with the search.

“The investigation indicates there is no cause for concern for public safety,” the news release said.