UPDATE: Saskatchewan teen Mekayla Bali missing for 1 year
The mother of Mekayla Bali, 17, is in Vancouver for a fourth time as she continues her search for her missing daughter.
Bali was last seen at the bus depot Yorkton, Sask., on April 12, 2016.
READ MORE: Mother of missing Yorkton, Sask. teen searches BC after receiving tips
Paula Bali said she returned to Vancouver to follow up on leads and tips she has received.
“At this point, it’s really about following up on any information that we receive about Mekayla,” Paula said in a phone interview with Global News.
“It seems to be locating from this area (Vancouver), so I just continue to keep searching and hope that I will locate her.”
Of concern to Paula is the opioid crisis in Vancouver.
“It’s a frightening prospect,” she said.
“My daughter was clean when she left but considering the situation, I have to be open to any possibility that may have occurred.”
Paula said the hardest part about Mekayla going missing is how it is affecting her other children.
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“It’s been extremely taxing on my other children. It’s impossible to understand the chaos and the fear it creates in the family when someone is missing,” Paula said, adding that she has taken a leave of absence from her work to search for Mekayla.
“We’re a really close-knit family and for her brother and sister, it’s devastating.”
READ MORE: Family of Mekayla Bali offers $25K reward to return missing Yorkton, Sask. teen home
A $25,000 reward is being offered for the safe return of Mekayla.
Paula said although the result of a missing person investigation is often not the outcome one wants, she is holding out hope.
“I continue to remain positive and hopeful and certainly giving everything I have in my power … to ensure that she is safe,” she said.
“The most important thing is ensuring her safety.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mekayla Bali is asked to contact their local police detachment, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the Bring Mekayla Bali Home website.
Lisa Dutton contributed to this story
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