RCMP have arrested Daniel Martell, stepfather of missing Sullivan children from Pictou County, on unrelated charges, as confirmed by police to CityNews.
Daniel Martell, 34, was taken into custody on Monday at approximately 11:30 a.m. He is facing charges related to assault, forcible confinement, and sexual assault of an adult victim.
Martell is the stepfather of 5-year-old Jack and 6-year-old Lilly Sullivan, who were last seen in Lansdowne Station, N.S., on May 2, 2025. The children’s mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, reported to 911 that they had wandered away from home.
The disappearance of the Sullivan children led to an extensive search effort, with Martell and Brooks-Murray becoming central figures in the investigation. Despite ongoing efforts, the RCMP have not been able to determine the whereabouts of the missing children.
Search operations have yielded items such as a child’s T-shirt, blanket, and tricycle, but police have stated that these discoveries do not provide any significant leads in the case. Cadaver dogs have also been used in the search, but no substantial findings have been made.
Recently unsealed court documents shed light on the relationship between Martell and Brooks-Murray, revealing instances of alleged physical altercation. The documents include excerpts from police interviews conducted earlier this month.
Brooks-Murray recounted instances where Martell displayed aggressive behavior towards her, including attempts to restrain her and taking her phone during distressing situations. Martell, however, refuted these claims, labeling them as a fabricated narrative to portray him negatively.
Both Martell and Brooks-Murray underwent polygraph tests, which reportedly indicated their truthfulness. The children’s biological father, Cody Sullivan, also participated in a polygraph test, which affirmed his honesty. Notably, Cody Sullivan has been estranged from the children for three years.
In an update from October 2025, the RCMP stated that the investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan is not believed to involve criminal activity.