Search for missing 14-year-old Jewish girl elevated to Priority 1, Toronto police say

Toronto Police say they have elevated the search for a missing 14-year-old girl named Esther to Priority 1 status, dedicating all available resources as community volunteers join in the effort to find her.

A Priority 1 or Level 1 search is the highest level of response from the police, and mobilizes extensive resources like specialized K-9 units, drones, mounted officers and large-scale ground searches, in addition to community outreach.

The young Jewish girl, also known affectionately as Esti, was last seen on Friday, May 15, in the area of Earl Bales Park , a large green space located at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West in northern Toronto.

She is described as 5-foot-2, medium build, with brown hair, and was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a green shirt and no shoes.

“It was Friday night,” her mother, Shira, told Global News. “It was cold outside and she left, and it was dark and she didn’t have her shoes. Both of her pairs of shoes are by the door. And she doesn’t have her phone. Her phone is in the house.”

Shira added that Esther had left her home before but always returned.

Police have released an image of Esther, as well as several blurry security camera images, which have been widely shared on social media.

14 year old Esther is missing and was last seen Friday night in the Earl Bales Park area near Sheppard and Bathurst in North York.Anyone with information should contact @TorontoPolice immediately at 1-416-808-2222 or @CanStopCrime at 1-800-222-8477.Please share this widely.… https://t.co/IL7xNkoUEH

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) May 18, 2026

“I don’t know who else she might have contact with,” her mother said. “I really hope that she’s OK and maybe she’s just scared to come home and she has friends or someone helping her.”

Volunteers in the search include many from Toronto’s large Jewish community, including Shomrim Safety Patrol , an organization founded in 2021 and committed to ensuring the safety and security of Jewish communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

A command centre is operating from the nearby Petah Tikvah Synagogue parking lot. Police say they have deployed a drone as well as marine, canine and mounted units in the search.

Today Chief Demkiw attended our Command Post at Earl Bales Park to get an update from officers on the ground and speak with community members and @ShomrimToronto regarding the search for 14 year old Esther.If you have any information, please call @TPS32Div at 416-808-3200,… pic.twitter.com/P8GL9eaR05

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) May 20, 2026

Duty Inspector Peter Wallace said in an update: “We are currently appealing to the pubic to please check your backyard if you reside in this area, your sheds and also your surveillance camera.”

At that time, Shira also delivered a direct appeal to her daughter.

“Esti, my love, if you are watching this, please come home,” she said. “We love you so very much. We miss you terribly. Your family, here, across the country, and around the world, are searching and praying for you every minute. Your friends, classmates, neighbours, and community are all worried about you and hoping to see you safe.”

Police and volunteers urge anyone with information to call 911 or Shomrim Toronto at 647-557-6735. Toronto Police can be reached at 416-808-3200, as can Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com .

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