10-day search for missing Toronto Jewish girl intensifies as safety concerns mount
Community members have offered a $25,000 reward for info about 14-year-old Esther, on the autism spectrum, who has been missing since May 15
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Hundreds of Canadian volunteers and police officers continued searching across Toronto over the weekend for a missing 14-year-old Jewish girl whose disappearance has sparked growing concern and a large-scale community response.
The teenager, Esther, also known as Esti, has been missing since May 15, when she reportedly fled after a family argument near Earl Bales Park in the city’s North York district. Police said she left home without her cellphone, shoes or a coat.
The girl is on the autism spectrum, prompting police to activate a Level 1 search response, a relatively uncommon measure in missing-person cases.
A $25,000 reward was announced over the weekend for information leading to the teenager’s safe return. Organizers declined to identify the donor behind the reward but said the family approved the initiative.
Toronto police also released updated information over the weekend, including new surveillance images believed to show the girl inside a fast-food restaurant several hours after she disappeared. Authorities said she was later spotted around midnight on May 16, marking the last confirmed sighting in the case.
There is currently no evidence that the girl was abducted, meaning the case does not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert under Canadian guidelines, police noted.
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Esti, may be going as Sylvia, remains missing. Toronto Police have advised about a confirmed sighting on May 16, 2026, at approximately 12:01 AM in the Bathurst Street & Hotspur Road area. Police remain concerned for her… pic.twitter.com/0Rt0TeCe4T
— Shomrim Toronto (@Shomrimtoronto) May 24, 2026
The search effort has intensified as concern grows for Esther’s safety. Community patrol group Shomrim Toronto said it is coordinating volunteers to distribute updated missing-person posters across the city, and is working alongside police to gather information. Hundreds of people have participated in the effort, they said.
Toronto police respond to over 4,000 missing persons cases every year, but rarely attract such a broad response, local reports noted.
Toronto police also launched a dedicated website and tip line to collect photos, video footage and information from the public. Authorities urged anyone who may have seen Esther or encountered her on public transit to come forward.
Community members have complained that posters around the city have been torn down, conjuring up similarities to the tearing down of posters of Israeli hostages in Gaza in recent years.
Posters torn down for a missing 14 yr old Jewish girl in North York in one of the most Jewish neighborhoods in Canada & reportedly happened across the city of Toronto.
Reminiscent of the disrespect of the Hostage Posters. The same exact Jew hate.
Be ashamed, ???????? Canada pic.twitter.com/c5kG9XVCpQ
— Dan Levy ✡ דניאל אליהו בן מאניש דוד (@TheDanLevy) May 23, 2026
At a press conference last week, Esther’s mother, Shira, described Esther as kind, friendly and smart. She made a heartfelt call for her daughter to return.
“We love you so very much. We miss you terribly,” she said. “You’re not in trouble. Nobody is angry with you, no matter what has happened. All we care about is knowing that you are okay.”
Shomrim is now working to expand the search to additional neighborhoods, they said.
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