Police confirm no charges laid in investigation into missing 14-year-old Toronto girl

Toronto police say their investigation into the almost two-week disappearance of a 14-year-old girl is complete, and no criminal charges have been laid.

Esther, who has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, vanished from North York on May 15 after a Shabbat dinner with her family.

Police, volunteers and family scoured the city for a sign of her.

Thirteen days after she disappeared, she was found safe at a home in Etobicoke and taken to hospital for assessment.

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The day she was found, police offered few details and said there was an ongoing investigation into whether foul play was suspected.

But just over a week after Esther was found, a police spokesperson confirmed to Global News they wouldn’t bring charges.

Officers had previously said an exhaustive search of video footage and leads had helped them to eventually track down the teenager.

The 14-year-old’s family issued a heartfelt statement after she was found, thanking the local community for rallying around and searching for her.

“To every person who searched, shared her photo, hung flyers, checked cameras, sent messages, prayed, or simply held our family in their hearts: you gave us strength when we were running on none,” they wrote.

“We are so blessed to have a Jewish community here in Toronto that stood behind us and relentlessly did what they could. There are not enough words to thank the overwhelming support from the Jewish community and every resident of Toronto and the GTA who searched for Esti as if she was their own daughter.”