A 14-year-old Toronto girl who went missing nearly two weeks ago and was the subject of an intensive search has been found safe.
Police say that the girl, named Esther, was located at around 1 p.m. at a home in Etobicoke.
She is believed to be in “good physical health” but has been taken to hospital to be assessed, Supt. Don Belanger told reporters.
Belanger said that the police investigation is not over but will now shift to “whether or not there is any evidence of criminality” associated with Esther’s “prolonged disappearance.”
“This is really the earliest stage of this. The next phase of the investigation is just starting,” Belanger said.
Teen was last seen on May 16
Esther vanished after being last seen shortly after midnight on May 16 in North York, near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road.
A rare Level One police search was undertaken for the missing girl, with police deploying several units and setting up a command post at Earl Bales Park.
Police had previously said that they were “deeply concerned” for Esther’s safety, sharing that she was on the autism spectrum.
Hundreds of community members worked tirelessly to find Esther, putting up posters across the city and setting up a separate command post on Wilson Avenue, near Bathurst Street.
A reward of $25,000 was also offered for information leading to Esther’s safe return.
“The manner in which this community came together to support this investigation and Esther’s family was nothing short of remarkable,” Belanger said. “This was more than a police search and police investigation. It was truly a combined community and police effort, including the numerous tips we received daily.”
‘An immense relief’
Belanger would not say what led police to the Etobicoke home on Thursday but said that officers are “actively” looking into who resides there “and what are they all about.”
Maureen Leshem, a spokesperson for Esther’s family, told reporters on Thursday that Esther’s loved ones are feeling “immense relief” to know that she is safe and grateful for the community support they received.
“Thousands of people came out to help from all walks of life. Not just from our community but from the entire community. People as far as Hamilton, we had old people, young people, children, wherever they could poster, wherever they could spread the word, everyone was willing to do what they needed to do regardless of whether they knew Esther or not,” she said.
Police conducted an exhaustive search for Esther that included a dedicated tip line and website.
The search made headlines from coast to coast.
On Thursday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilevre expressed relief that it was now over.
“Esther is found safe. What a blessed relief for her loved ones. Thank you to the countless volunteers, community members, first responders, and Toronto Police who worked tirelessly to bring her home safely to her family,” he said in a post on social media.
