Toronto police stepping up search for missing 14-year-old girl last seen at Earl Bales Park

Esther was last seen on May 15 at around 11:30 p.m. at Earl Bales Park, near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West, in North York. Police say she was last seen heading in a northeasterly direction. (TPS photo)

Toronto police have set up a command post in North York as they step up their search for 14-year-old girl who disappeared almost two full days ago.

Esther was last seen on Friday at around 11:30 p.m. at Earl Bales Park, near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West. Police say she was heading in a northeasterly direction.

The teen stands five-foot-two and has a medium build and brown hair. She wore grey sweatpants that are loose around the ankle and a green long-sleeve top.

It’s not clear at this time if Esther was or wasn’t wearing any shoes, Duty Insp. Scott Bradbury said during a news conference near Earl Bales Community Centre at 4169 Bathurst St. on Sunday afternoon.

He said police do not know exactly what she was doing at the time of her disappearance but said they “have concerns for her.”

Bradbury added that it is not known at this point if she met up with anyone. He would also not disclose if she has a prior history of going missing.

“(We) have been scouring the area ever since that time (Esther went missing),” he said, adding the Mounted Unit would also be attending Earl Bales Park this afternoon to assist with the search. The Marine Unit has also been working to find the missing girl, Bradbury noted.

“We’ve also had our drones in the air that have heat capabilities to search for heat signatures, and officers have been on the ground,” Bradbury said, thanking people in the community for their help in the search.

The duty inspector went on to say that due to the “thoroughness” of the search, police will be staying in the vicinity of Earl Bales Park.

“We’re imploring the community and neighbors outside of Earl Bales Park to please review video camera, to look in the coffee shops, to watch for somebody, a young person, Esther, please, who may be asking for food, money, help, or directions,” he said.

Bradbury urged anyone who spots Esther to call the police, keep an eye on her, and let authorities know where her location is.

“Please don’t just phone and leave, keep an eye on her, so we can now track her and come and make sure that she’s safe again,” he said.

“We want (Esther) returned home. … My concerns are for her safety, and I really, really, really am asking for the public to help us put eyes on her, so we can make sure she’s safe and reunited back with her family.”

Bradbury said Earl Bales Park has a lot of trails and wooded areas but is also well used by families for picnics and walk. He urged anyone who might spot Esther to contact them.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-2222, 416-808-3200, or 911, if it’s an emergency, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.