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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 also 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 $25,000 reward for information that would lead to Esther’s safe return was also offered.
This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.