A 14-year-old girl who had been missing in Toronto for close to two weeks was discovered safe in the city on Thursday afternoon, according to authorities. The Toronto Police located the girl around 1 p.m. but have chosen not to disclose her identity to safeguard her privacy post-recovery.
The girl has been transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation, as confirmed by Supt. Don Belanger, the Toronto Police Service spokesperson. Belanger mentioned that the girl seems to be in good physical health, but medical professionals will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the impact of her disappearance.
Moving forward, the focus of the investigation will shift towards examining whether there are any indications of criminal activity associated with her extended absence, Belanger stated. The specific location of the residence where the girl was found and the individuals present at the time remain undisclosed. No arrests have been made, and no charges have been filed.
According to Belanger, investigators are currently looking into the occupants of the residence and the number of people present when the girl was located. He acknowledged the significant support received from the community throughout the search period, emphasizing the collaborative effort between law enforcement and the public.
Mayor Olivia Chow expressed gratitude towards the police, first responders, and community members for their contributions to locating the missing teen. The girl’s parents, in a statement, expressed immense relief upon reuniting with their daughter and extended their gratitude to everyone involved in the search efforts.
The search operation, which reached Level 1 status, utilized various resources, including drones and specialized police units. The police had set up a dedicated phone line and issued a QR code to gather tips from the public during the intensified search. Prior to being found, the teen was last seen in the vicinity of Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road, as reported by the police. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain undisclosed, and the family had offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.