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A 14-year-old girl missing for nearly two weeks in Toronto has been found safe in a home, police say.
Toronto police said in a social media post on Thursday that they located the girl, named Esther.
Supt. Don Belanger, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, told reporters at Earl Bales Park that police located her at about 1 p.m. He said she is currently in hospital.
“She appears in good physical condition. But as you can appreciate that, we need to confirm that through medical professionals,” Belanger said.
Belanger said her parents are relieved.
He said police used every resource they had to locate Esther. He said police received many tips every single day that she was missing.
Before she was found, police said Esther was last seen in the area of Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road, south of Highway 401, just after midnight on May 16. Previously, police said she was last seen in Earl Bales Park, Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue W., on May 15.
Police had upgraded their search to a Level 1 operation, which is the highest level. That meant police were able to deploy such resources as its canine, mounted and marine units.
A dedicated phone line was set up and a QR code was issued to collect tips from the public as police intensified their search. Esther’s parents also appealed to the public for help to find her.
Police did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding Esther’s disappearance and did not suggest that she was abducted.
Police have not said where or how she was found.
A spokesperson for Esther’s family announced a $25,000-reward earlier this week for information leading to her safe return.








