Esther’s Two‑Week Disappearance Ends With Safe Return

On the night of May 16, Esther, a 14‑year‑old girl with an autism spectrum diagnosis, left her North York home after a family Shabbat dinner. Police and volunteers launched an extensive search that spanned the Greater Toronto Area, marking it as a Level 1 operation—the highest intensity level for missing persons cases.

For the first 13 days, posters were distributed and social media calls for tips proliferated. A $25,000 reward was offered for information leading to her recovery. Despite the vigorous effort, Esther remained missing until Thursday afternoon, when officers located her in a Toronto residence.

“She was found in a home in Toronto,” Superintendent Don Belanger of the 32‑Division said. Police confirmed the girl was physically unharmed and already receiving medical assessment at a local hospital. “She appeared to be in good health, and we are ensuring she gets the proper care and support she needs.”

Esther’s family, who shared her diagnosis publicly to aid the search, expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “We are incredibly grateful she’s home,” her mother, Shira, told reporters. “We ask for continued prayers, love, and privacy as we begin the next stage of helping her heal.”

The investigation remains open as police examine whether criminal activity played a role. “Our investigation will now turn to whether or not there is any evidence of criminality associated with her prolonged disappearance,” Belanger said. No charges have yet been laid, and authorities are not releasing details on who was in the residence where Esther was found.

Esther’s case highlights the challenges faced by families of autistic teens in navigating both daily life and emergency responses. Police praised volunteers and the broader Jewish community for their relentless efforts in keeping her story alive in the public eye. The search operation, which involved video canvases and coordinated patrols, exemplifies how community cooperation can lead to successful outcomes in missing‑person cases.

As the city returns to normality, Esther’s family continues to focus on her recovery, while city officials review protocols for supporting youths with special needs during emergencies.