Search for missing Ontario girl continues, vigil planned Sunday
The search for an eight-year-old Ontario girl who has been missing since mid-week continued Saturday, with volunteers and police focusing on a conservation area on the northern edge of the small city of Woodstock.
Tori Stafford was last seen leaving her school on Wednesday afternoon. (Oxford Community Police) Tori Stafford was last seen leaving her school on Wednesday afternoon. (Oxford Community Police)
Victoria Stafford, known in her family as Tori, was last seen leaving Oliver Stephens Public School in Woodstock on Wednesday afternoon.
Mayor Michael Harding said 150 volunteers helped police Friday in searching various areas in the city and were turning their attention to the north and south sides of Pittock Lake.
After talking to a witness, police identified Victoria in surveillance video recorded around the time she was last seen walking away from the school, accompanied by a woman whom police called a "person of interest."
Investigators are checking dozens of tips from the public about the mystery woman's identity.
The woman in the video is described by police as between 19 and 25 years old, between 120 and 125 pounds, with straight long black hair in a ponytail. She was wearing a white coat and black jeans.
Police said they have no reason at this time to suspect foul play.
Candlelight vigil planned
As volunteers continued to turn out to help search or hand out flyers, others were planning a candlelight vigil for Sunday night if the girl is not found before then.
An organizer of the event — to begin at 8 p.m. ET in the parking lot in front of a Zellers store — has asked for donations of candles and plastic cups.
"I think what's happening with members of the public is an expression of their emotions, their concern for this child. And I think that's good in terms of the willingness of this community to step up," Harding told CBC News on Saturday.
"As time goes on, we begin to worry more and more about the whereabouts and the condition of this little girl."
Victoria's mother, Tara McDonald, made a tearful televised appeal Friday and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her daughter's safe return.
Police in the city of 35,000 — 45 kilometres east of London — defended their decision not to issue an Amber Alert in the case. An Oxford Community Police spokeswoman said the case didn't meet the criteria to request a co-ordinated news media bulletin.
Anyone with information can call police at (519) 537-2323 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Victoria Stafford, eight years old, was sighted leaving her Woodstock, Ontario school on Wednesday afternoon with an unknown woman caught on video camera.  She has not been seen since.
Woodstock.
Victoria (Tori) attended grade 3 at Oliver Stephens Public School, and the video is from the College Avenue secondary school as Victoria and the unidentified woman walked along Fyfe Avenue.

"I've had a lot of problems come up in my life and stuff like that, and I haven't always been there for my kids, but this is my baby girl and it's absolutely hurting now," her father Robert Stafford said, "It's killing me, I want to let her know that I love her and I'll see her soon. One way or another I'll see her soon."

Police teams from Oxford, Waterloo and London have assembled together with rescue dogs and trained search and rescue personnel to find the child.

Police have called the search a criminal investigation, but have not yet issued an Amber alert as there has been no report of an abduction.

150 volunteers joined search efforts and to pass out flyers on the 10th. Police say they have no need of more volunteers at this time, however they would appreciate any tips or calls from anyone who may have seen either Victoria or the woman.  

The unidentified woman seen in the video is described as between 19 and 25 years old with straight long black hair. She weighs about 120 to 125 pounds and was wearing a white coat and black jeans in the video. Victoria was wearing a green shirt with a black pleated skirt. She was wearing black and white shoes and carried a purple and pink Bratz purse. She had on a black Hannah Montana jacket which had a white fur lined hood.

"I think what's happening with members of the public is an expression of their emotions, their concern for this child. And I think that's good in terms of the willingness of this community to step up," said  Michael Harding, Mayor of Woodstock.

Volunteers are making and handing out purple ribbons, Tori's favourite colour. A candlelight vigil will be held in the evening on Easter Sunday.