The stepfather of missing children Jack and Lilly Sullivan has provided a DNA sample to police as authorities continue their investigation into the siblings’ disappearance.

Daniel Martell spoke publicly about the case in an interview recorded on Jan. 6, during which he discussed the ongoing search for his stepchildren. The interview was conducted by CBC’s Angela MacIvor.

Weeks later, on Jan. 29, Martell was charged in a separate case involving allegations of sexual assault, assault, and forcible confinement concerning an adult complainant. The charges are not directly connected to the children’s disappearance. He has not responded to requests for comment regarding those charges.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that Martell provided a DNA sample as part of the investigation into Jack and Lilly Sullivan’s disappearance. Providing DNA samples is a common procedure in missing person investigations, particularly when authorities are working to eliminate or confirm potential forensic leads.

Police have not indicated whether the DNA submission was voluntary or court-ordered. In many cases, investigators request biological samples from individuals closely connected to a missing person in order to assist with evidence comparison.

The timeline has drawn public attention because of the sequence of events. The interview recorded on Jan. 6 focused on the children’s disappearance, with Martell speaking about the family’s situation and ongoing search efforts at that time.

Subsequent charges filed on Jan. 29 involve an unrelated adult complainant and have not been officially linked to the missing children’s case. Authorities have not publicly suggested a connection between the two matters.

Legal experts emphasize that charges in one case do not establish guilt in another and that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

In missing children investigations, police often examine forensic evidence including DNA, digital communications, surveillance footage, and location data. Collecting DNA from close relatives or household members can help investigators identify or exclude matches in evidence gathered during search operations.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any forensic matches have been identified in connection with the children’s disappearance.

Martell’s interview with CBC occurred prior to the later charges. During that conversation, he discussed the emotional toll of the situation and the efforts to locate the children.

CBC has confirmed that Martell has not responded to its request for comment regarding the charges filed on Jan. 29.

Police have not announced arrests in connection with the disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan. The investigation remains active.

In complex cases involving multiple legal developments, law enforcement typically separates investigative tracks. Charges involving one complainant are evaluated independently from other ongoing inquiries unless evidence establishes a direct link.

Public attention remains focused on the whereabouts of the missing children as authorities continue to pursue leads.

Investigators have urged anyone with credible information about Jack and Lilly Sullivan’s disappearance to contact law enforcement.

At this stage, confirmed facts include the provision of a DNA sample, the Jan. 6 interview, and the Jan. 29 charges in an unrelated case.

No official statements have connected the charges to the children’s disappearance.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to provide further updates if new developments arise.