The Toronto Jewish community continued search operations through the Shavuot holiday for a teenager who had been missing for a week, according to neighborhood watch group Shomrim Toronto and the Toronto Police Service (TPS). With fourteen year old Esther missing since last Friday, volunteers continued to man a Shomrim hotline and a search operations headquarters through Friday and Saturday, according to a social media post by the group.While Esther had previously been last seen on last Friday in the Earl Bales Park area at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West, TPS updated on Thursday that she had been spotted at midnight last Saturday in the Bathurst Street and Hotspur Road area.Police also noted Thursday that the missing teenager, who had last been seen wearing a turquoise sweater, grey sweatpants, and no shoes, had previously been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.A dedicated tip hotline for the case was opened on Thursday, according to TPS. Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak said on X on Tuesday that the case had been escalated to "Priority 1."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, 2026Esther's parents addressed their daughter in a press briefing on Tuesday, urging her to come home and assuring her no matter what happened she was not in trouble. "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," said Esther's mother, Shira, "Your friends, classmates, and community are all worried about you and hoping to see you safe."Missing girl's mother requests public aid searchShira requested that the public aid in her search, checking personal security camera footage in the area she was last seen for any clues. "As a mother there is no pain worse than not knowing where your child is or whether she is safe. please help us bring our child home," said Shira.The mother also thanked TPS and volunteers, which included community members and strangers, who had volunteered to help search for Esther. Volunteers have been distributing flyers and conducting searches throughout the week. Political leaders spotlight missing girlAwareness of the case was drawn by York Centre member of parliament Roman Baber and federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. "Let's find Esther and get her home," the Conservative Party leader said on X on Monday.14 year old Esther is missing and was last seen Friday night in the Earl Bales Park area near Sheppard and Bathurst in North York.Anyone with information should contact @TorontoPolice immediately at 1-416-808-2222 or @CanStopCrime at 1-800-222-8477.Please share this widely.... https://t.co/IL7xNkoUEH— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) May 18, 2026Esther's mother described her daughter as kind, intelligent, and who made friends everywhere she went. She is 5"2 tall and has brown hair.