Sam Glass 👨‍🍳🇨🇦

I completely respect and appreciate Esther’s family wanting to protect her medical privacy. That is every parent’s right, and I say this with genuine empathy for what they are going through right now. But learning tonight that Esther is autistic and considered vulnerable fundamentally changes the level of concern surrounding this disappearance. A 14-year-old girl missing for nearly a week, reportedly without shoes, in light clothing, with no phone and no money, should have had the entire city on heightened alert from the very beginning. Police rely heavily on the public as extra eyes and ears. Context matters in missing person investigations. Unfortunately, when people hear “missing teenager,” some may wrongly assume the child simply ran away and will eventually return home. But knowing Esther is on the autism spectrum underscores just how vulnerable she may be and why this situation is so urgent. As a former investigator, I understand and respect the family’s wishes regarding privacy. But personally, I would have strongly encouraged that this information be released earlier because Esther’s safety has to be the overriding priority right now. My hope is that with this additional information now public, more people across Toronto will keep Esther at the forefront of their minds, stay alert, and help bring this young girl home safely.