North York, Ontario (May 20, 2026)

Toronto Police have upgraded the search for 14-year-old Esther (Esti) to a Priority 1 investigation as officers, Shomrim Toronto, Misaskim, and large numbers of community volunteers continue working to locate her safely.

Esther has been missing since late Friday night, May 15, when she was last seen near Earl Bales Park in North York, around Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West. She is described as 5-foot-2, with a medium build and brown hair. At the time she disappeared, she was wearing a green long-sleeve shirt, gray sweatpants, and no shoes.

The search has expanded significantly in recent days, with Toronto Police deploying extensive resources across the area. Volunteers from the Jewish community have joined the effort, canvassing nearby streets, distributing flyers, and searching wooded sections of the park, trails, yards, and surrounding properties.

A command post has been established in the parking lot of Petah Tikvah shul on Danby Road, where volunteers and search coordinators are assisting with the ongoing effort.

Earl Bales Park is a large, wooded area with trails and natural terrain, making the search difficult and urgent. Authorities are asking residents in the surrounding neighborhood to check security camera footage from Friday night onward, especially near Bathurst Street, Sheppard Avenue West, Danby Road, and nearby residential blocks.

Residents are also being asked to check backyards, sheds, garages, alleyways, parked vehicles, and any outdoor structures where someone may have taken shelter.

Anyone who sees Esther or has information about her whereabouts should call 911 immediately. Shomrim Toronto can be reached at 647-557-6735, and Toronto Police can be contacted at 416-808-3200.

Community members are urged to continue sharing Esther’s photo and information as her family and search teams work urgently to bring her home safely.

Besuros Tovos.

The search for missing youth Esti has now been escalated to Priority 1. Bringing her home safely remains our top priority. We joined Esti’s family today as the search continues, and we are grateful to the @TorontoPolice and Inspector Peter Wallace for dedicating every available… pic.twitter.com/zmr4DkIuZJ

— James Pasternak (@PasternakTO) May 19, 2026