Shira and Joseph, parents of missing 14-year-old Esther, speak during a press conference at Earl Bales Park in Toronto on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Toronto police share updated photo, new website in search for missing teen girl

May 24, 2026 | 12:44 PM

Toronto police have released an updated photo and a new website as part of their search efforts for a teen girl who has been missing for eight days.

Police say 14-year-old Esther was last seen in the area of Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road just after midnight on May 16, and they are concerned for her safety.

Police say Esther has been diagnosed as being on the spectrum, and have previously said she was last seen in the Earl Bales Park area on May 15.

Last week, police upgraded their search to a Level 1 operation, which is the highest level, and while they have not provided details on what prompted the upgrade, they say that out of nearly 3,100 missing person reports last year, only five were Level 1 searches.