Family issues video plea for daughter to come home
The family of an 11-year-old girl who has been missing for almost a week has released a video pleading for her to come home — and for the public to come forward with any information about her disappearance.
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. Although police released a bulletin on Sept. 25 asking for anyone with information to come forward, there have only been two tips. Police followed up on both tips and neither has been relevant, investigators say.
“We all love and miss you. We need you to come home,” said Nakayla’s father in the video. “Home is not the same without you. We just need to know you’re safe. We’re waiting for you at home.”
Added Nakayla’s grandmother, wiping tears from her eyes: “To everyone else, my granddaughter has been missing for a week, and we need your help to find her. Please, if anyone sees her or hears anything, please contact the Ottawa police right away.”
While there is no evidence of foul play, this is a vulnerable 11-yearold girl, Insp. Chris Renwick told a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
As time passes, the concern becomes greater that Nakayla is “getting bad counsel,” he said. It is also possible that someone might think they are helping her by harbouring her.
“We fully believe she is with someone. She does not have the resources to be alone,” Renwick said.
“This is totally unexpected. Every hour that passes it leaves more of a concern.”
None of the people in the video has been identified by name, although police said the group includes Nakayla’s father, grandmother, uncle and uncle’s wife.
Nakayla’s family has been co-operative with police, Renwick said. They decided to release the video instead of appearing at the news conference as a “strong vehicle” to get their message out.
“It’s very emotional for them,” he said.
Although Nakayla is 11, she appears much older and has the savvy and street sense of a 16- or 18-yearold. She was active on social media before her disappearance but has not used her social media accounts since she disappeared, Renwick said.
The public plea is an unusual measure for police to take, but this is an unusual situation.
“This is the first time I’ve recalled an 11-year-old missing for this length of time. It has caught everyone by surprise. There were no signs. If there were any avenue (to investigate) we would have been down it a week ago,” Renwick said.
“This a child in need of assistance. Wherever she is or whatever she is doing, we need to get her out of that.”
Nakayla is described as fivefoot-four 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. Her absence was only discovered by her family last Tuesday morning, Renwick said.
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.
“We have been pulling out all the stops. On Day 2 we tried to GPS the phone,” Renwick said.
Police have canvassed the neighbourhood and Nakayla’s family has done so as well.
Nakayla has been known to frequent the Russell Road area, as well as the St. Laurent Centre and the Rideau Centre. Investigators 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 Ontario have been alerted.
In the video, Nakayla’s aunt delivers the final plea to the missing girl: “We’re not mad. We don’t care. We just want you to come home safe.”
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.