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 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 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 was last seen shortly after midnight on May 16 in North York, near Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road.
A rare Level One search was undertaken for the missing girl, with police deploying their mounted and marine units in the effort. Drones were also used to conduct an aerial search of Earl Bales Park.
As the search dragged on, police said that they were “deeply concerned” for Esther’s safety, sharing that she was on the autism spectrum.
At the same time, 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.”
‘Thank you will never feel big enough’
Belanger would not say what led police to the Etobicoke home on Thursday, but said that officers had been “painstakingly” conducting a video canvas for footage that might have shed light on Esther’s location.
He said that “certainly contributed to us getting to where are today.”
As for the house where Esther was found, Belanger said that officers are “actively” looking into who resides there “and what are they all about.”
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Esther’s parents said that they feel like they can “breathe again” for the first time in days.
“To the thousands of people who carried our family through this nightmare — thank you will never feel big enough. To every person who searched, shared her photo, hung flyers, checked cameras, sent messages, prayed, or simply held our family in their hearts: you gave us strength when we were running on none," the statement reads.
“We are so blessed to have a Jewish community here in Toronto that stood behind us and relentlessly did what they could. There are not enough words to thank the overwhelming support from the Jewish community and every resident of Toronto and the GTA who searched for Esti as if she was their own daughter. ”
In their statement, Esther’s parents said they are now focused on ensuring their daughter is “surrounded by the love and care she needs in the days ahead.”
They said that they are asking the public to “refrain from speculating” about her disappearance at this time.
“Right now, our focus is on Esti’s health, recovery, and well-being. We ask for continued prayers, love, and privacy as we begin the next stage of helping her heal,” they said.
The search for Esther made headlines from coast to coast.
In a post on social media on Thursday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said that it’s a “blessed relief” to know that it is now over.
“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 the post.
“I join the city in collective relief,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a social media post, thanking Toronto police and everyone who helped in the search.
The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto also released a statement on Thursday, calling the search “a powerful reminder of the strength of community—and what is possible when people come together in moments of urgency and care."
