The family of missing Bradford teen Siem Zerezghi made a public plea for his safe return this afternoon, almost a week after he went missing from his home near Professor Day Drive and Northgate Drive.
His father, Andmariam Hailemichael, and sister, Ruta Zerezghi, stood in front of the assembled media outside the command post Thursday at Bradford District High School to make a desperate plea for him to come home.
"We love you and we miss you, please come home," Ruta pleaded. "Please, Siem, all of the people are worried about you. Our family loves you."
Siem's mother, Kedesan Werede, stood in the high school parking lot surrounded by police officers as she wept and wailed out in despair over her missing son.
Siem is 15 years old and is between five-foot-eight to five-foot-11. He was last seen wearing a blue windbreaker and blue Nike slide sandals with socks.
Police also provided an update Thursday afternoon that indicated Siem was wearing greyish-coloured pants with an orange stripe down the side. They were able to confirm this information through security-camera footage investigators have obtained. The video from his neighbourhood also shows he left his home at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Earlier information indicated he had not been seen since late the night before.
South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher thanked the media and community for their support with the search.
"We know you're asking how you can help, but you have to put all your faith in us that we're doing everything we can," he said. "If you want to help us, search your own backyard, search your property, talk to your friends, talk to your families.
"We do not need any more resources at this time," he added.
Meanwhile, the search continues.
"We know he's out there somewhere, we just need to get him home to his family," Fletcher said.
South Simcoe police Sgt. David Phillips said they are optimistic they can find Siem and have been investigating all possible leads.
There is a team of more than 40 people assisting the police with the search, including members of the Georgian Bay Volunteer Search and Rescue, Innisfil Fire, Bradford West Gwillimbury Fire, and York Regional Police.
Teams have covered a large area, including the Holland Marsh and Holland Marsh Drainage System, which is being searched by the York Regional Police Marine Unit.
Police have also been using a drone to assist in the search.
"We are working on covering more ground as quickly as we can," said Phillips.
Police are also working behind the scenes checking into any possible leads and tips.
"We're continuing to look for Siem and hoping we can bring him home alive today," Phillips said. "At this point, there's no indication why (he would leave)."
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts are asked to contact police. To submit evidence on the Axon portal click here.
If you would like to provide anonymous info contact Det. Const. Adam Walther at 905-775-3311, ext. 1035, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
"We are worried about you. We love you and we miss you. Please come home." Family of missing #Bradford teen Siem Zerezghi makes emotional plea. Older sister Ruta Zerezghi and father Andmariam Hailemichael speak to media. #FindSiem #missing pic.twitter.com/d364VbDLOS
— South Simcoe Police (@SouthSimcoePS) October 29, 2020
