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Missing Toronto Jewish teen found after two weeks

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A 14-year-old Jewish girl from Toronto, Esther, has been found after going missing for two weeks.
  • Volunteers and law enforcement conducted extensive searches, and a $25,000 reward was offered for information leading to her return.
  • Concerns were raised about potential antisemitism after some missing person posters were torn down.

Esther, a 14-year-old Jewish girl from Toronto, was located on Thursday after a two-week search that involved community volunteers and law enforcement. She had been missing since May 15, with her last sighting the following day.

The Toronto Police Service expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance in finding Esther. During the search, volunteers distributed flyers and conducted searches, even during the Shavuot holiday. A significant development in the search came with the offer of a $25,000 reward from a group of multi-faith Toronto residents for information that could lead to her safe return.

Adding to the community's distress, some of the missing person posters displayed for Esther were torn down. This incident fueled concerns among the family that the acts might have been motivated by antisemitism. Esther's parents made a public plea for her return, assuring her she was not in trouble and expressing their deep love and concern.

"Esti, my love, if you are watching this, please come home. We love you so very much. We miss you terribly," said her mother, Shira, in an emotional appeal. "Your friends, classmates, and community are all worried about you and hoping to see you safe."

Esti, my love, if you are watching this, please come home. 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, and community are all worried about you and hoping to see you safe.

โ€” Shira, Esther's motherEsther's parents addressed the press last Tuesday, urging their daughter to come home and assuring her that, no matter what happened, she was not in trouble.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.