Intense search for missing teen girl in Toronto as parents plead for her return
Written by The Canadian Press on May 21, 2026
TORONTO — Toronto police say they’ve intensified a search for a teen girl who has been missing for six days as her parents plead for her to come home and officers appeal to the public for information.
Police say 14-year-old Esther was last seen in the Earl Bales Park area in North York on Friday and they are concerned for her safety.
Earlier this week police upgraded their search to a Level 1 operation, which is the highest level.
While police have not provided details on what prompted the upgrade in this case, they say that out of nearly 3,100 missing person reports last year, only five were Level 1 searches.
Toronto police say Esther is described as white, five feet two inches tall with medium build and brown hair, and she was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a green shirt and no shoes.
Esther’s parents are asking the public for help in finding her, adding that they just want to know that she is OK and they miss her.
“Esti, my love, if you are watching this, please come home. We love you so very much and we miss you terribly,” her mother, Shira, said at a press conference Tuesday.
“Your family here, across the country and around the world are searching and praying for you every minute.”
Police have not provided further details on the circumstances surrounding Esther’s disappearance. They have not suggested that she was abducted. Officers have deployed drones and canine units as they search for her.
Police have also released photos of Esther and have set up a command post at Earl Bales Park and as they continue their investigation.
Police are urging the public to check their security camera footage and to come forward with any information.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2026.
Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press