Missing 12-year-old found safe, Ottawa police say
The child went missing Sept. 23
Ottawa police said a 12-year-old youth who was reported missing on Sept. 23 was located safe the next day. (File photo)
This story was updated on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET.
A 12 year-old youth who was reported missing in Ottawa’s Greenboro neighbourhood last week has been found “safe and sound,” police say.
The Ottawa Police Service issued a release on Sept. 24 saying that the youth, who was previously identified as Indigenous, went missing on the evening prior.
OPS media spokesperson Cst. Fern John-Simon told Nunatsiaq News by email that the youth was found Sept. 24, the day police first appealed to the public for help.
Parents, teachers, family and friends: Please brief people coming to the South, especially young women, on basic street smarts. Where to go and when, and when and where not, such as the Ottawa market area and Vanier after dark. Don’t wear conspicuous or provocative clothing. See a group of suspicious people, then cross to the other side of the street without drawing attention to yourself. Don’t accept drugs or alcohol from anyone you don’t know. The more charming, the more likely there’s trouble. If there’s no sidewalk, walk to face oncoming traffic. In sum, expect the best but prepare for the worst.
Not only south
This would be good advice for anyone going to Iqaluit, too.