Search continues for missing 11-year-old girl

As Ottawa police continued their weeklong search for a missing 11-year-old girl on Tuesday, a public plea from her family is circulating far beyond the city on social media.

Nakayla Baskin was last seen by her family on Sept. 24. Ottawa police believe she left her home in the Carlington area about half an hour after midnight.

Police released a bulletin the following morning, but a full week later investigators have received only “a handful of tips and none has led to Nakayla,” according to an Ottawa police spokeswoman. “Every tip counts.”

Police said in a news conference Monday they had followed up on two tips and neither has been relevant.

The missing girl’s family released a video pleading for her to come home, and for the public to come forward with any information about her disappearance.

That video has been shared hundreds of times on social media, and has been widely circulated among users in other cities like Toronto and Montreal.

Nakayla has been known to frequent the Russell Road area, as well as the St. Laurent Centre and the Rideau Centre.

Investigators said they can’t discount that Nakayla may have left Ottawa, although there is no indication that she has contacts elsewhere.

Police counterparts in other parts of the province and beyond provincial borders have been alerted.

While there is no evidence of foul play, this is a vulnerable 11-yearold girl, Insp. Chris Renwick told a news conference Monday.

Nakayla is 11, though she appears much older and has the savvy and street sense of a 16- or 18-year-old.

She was active on social media before her disappearance but has not used her social media accounts since she disappeared, police said.

Nakayla is described as a five feet, four inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. She has grey eyes and light brown or blondish hair that she wears in a “messy bun.” She may be carrying a medium-sized square red handbag with a “Guess” logo.

It appears she planned to leave and had made preparations.

Nakayla is believed to be carrying a cellphone, but it is an older model, and investigators have not been able to “ping ” the phone to determine its location.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa police missing persons unit at 613- 2361222, ext. 2355 or 613-230-6211.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers tollfree at 1-800-222-8477.

O T TAWA POLICE SERVICE Nakayla Baskin, 11, is described as five-foot-four, 150 pounds, with a medium to large build, and grey eyes. Her light brown or blondish, shoulder-length hair is usually worn up in a “messy bun.” She looks older than she is and could easily be mistaken for a 16-year-old.