Monday, April 20

On April 8th, eight-year-old Victoria Stafford went missing on her way home from school. She usually walked with her older brother, but that day he walked another child home. At approximately 6:06 pm, Victoria's mother called police in Woodstock, Ontario and told them her daughter had not arrived home from school and couldn't be found. No Amber Alert was issued and Victoria was classed as a missing person. The police apparently said that there was no evidence she had been abducted, even though video from a local high school showed her walking with a young woman in a white coat who couldn't be identified by the family.

A ground search was organized and people came out in droves to look for the young girl. No sign of her was found. On April 13th, the ground search was called off. The police stated that an abduction signifies force and that Victoria seemed to be going with the woman willingly. At this time, police had received approximately 300 tips, but nothing came of them.

Today, Victoria's mother pleaded with the abductor to release her daughter. "If you have my child, please just bring her home," said Tara McDonald. "You cannot imagine how we are feeling and we are missing her so much that it hurts. Look into your soul and find the compassion to please just let her go and let her come home."

The search for Victoria has now been taken over by the Ontario Provincial Police. This past weekend, they intensified the search for the missing girl. On Sunday police divers used sonar equipment and a boat to look for the missing girl while 35 other police officers combed swamps and bush not far from the girl's home.

Police now have over 1,000 tips and are still concentrating on the Woodstock, Ontario area. But Const. Laurie-Anne Maitland said they want more help, especially tips that could identify the woman that Tori is seen walking with in a surveillance video. "We're confident somebody has information and we're hoping that despite how small it may seem to them — or how insignificant — that they're going to come forward and share it, even if they think we already have it," said Maitland.

Anyone with information can call police at (519) 537-2323 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or any detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

18 comments:

  1. Oh Dear....... Praying for her........ Thanks for posting this Mary...... We can send her name up to the Father....... I pray that she is returned back to her Mom safely.........

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  2. Oh, I pray they find her safe.

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  3. oh blimey! Definitely a mother's worst nightmare! I pray they find her.

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  4. That .just makes my heart hur

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  6. I remember you telling me about the lack of interest [for a better word, I'm at a loss] that when the mother called the police they didn't do an Amber Alert....to me, ANYtime a child is missing past the 24 hour period, there should be an APB immediately. It's heartbreaking to know that something and someone has taken upon them to steal a child, and perhaps worse. I do hope for the best and pray that she is found unharmed.

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  7. I was amazed when the police did not call this an abduction from the time they saw the video.

    I pray that Victoria will be found soon.

    God bless.

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  8. My heart always skips a beat when I read or hear of a child being abducted. I think the police should have started the hunt when the Mother called. The reality is............I cannot type the words. We need to pray for her and all the others. Peace

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  9. This is so unnecessary...I mean the abduction of a child!! So awful!! I am so glad that many came out to try to find her..I would just be sick!!
    Thanks for stopping by and keeping Judy in your prayers...She is supposed to call me later..I am so hoping for good results in the biopsy. Sandy

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  10. The time factor is so important when a child is missing - an APB/Amber Alert should be issued immediately. I disagree with ON's description of abductions - but the laws are different in our respective countries. Here, most agree that an 8 yr old would go willingly with a strange adult - it all depends on the maturity and training of the child and the 'expertise' of the abductor.

    I hope they find this little girl soon.

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  11. Dear Father God we pray for her safe and happy return. My thoughts and prayers are with you all ...m.

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  12. Just posted a link about Victoria on my face book page and twitter.
    Will get something up later on my blog.

    Praying for her and her family.

    Coffee is on.

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  13. I'll be praying for her safe return...

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  14. Oh dear, can imagine what her parents are going through. Will be praying for her safe return.

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  15. Praying...

    hope all is well with you and that you havea great rest of the week

    Love, Jess

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  16. Every day I wake up praying and hoping that they've found her. Yesterday they released a composite sketch of what the woman looks like that Victoria was seen leaving with. Hopefully someone will recognize her!! It breaks my heart every time a child goes missing...something a parent should never have to go through. xoxo

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