The parents of missing nine-year-old Cecilia Zhang awoke well-rested this morning after spending the first night in their home since their daughter was snatched from the residence, a close family friend said.
Jack Jia, who has become a spokesperson for Raymond and Sherry Zhang since Cecilia was reported missing Monday morning, said the couple was still considering whether to speak out later in the day, although a police spokesperson said the couple was scheduled to address a news conference sometime Friday afternoon.
It would be their first public appearance since the intense hunt began for their only child, a gifted Grade 4 pupil.
“Somehow they got a better rest yesterday (Thursday overnight), but they are still anxious,” Jia said in an interview as police scaled back door-to-door canvassing and a widespread search in Cecilia’s neighbourhood in northeast Toronto.
“I don’t want to get into too much other detail, but I do believe they are still praying that Cecilia will get back home safely.”
The Zhangs had moved out of their home temporarily so forensic investigators could scour the house for evidence. Police have refused to discuss what may have been found, saying it could threaten the safe return of the girl.
Yesterday, police continued to say that Cecilia’s abduction likely wasn’t the random work of a sexual predator. They were also continuing to check out the possibility she was kidnapped for profit.
Earlier this week, Jia (pronounced Jay) took the unusal step of giving out his cellphone number in an attempt to convince whoever may have taken Cecilia to contact him. He said Friday he was “still working on” helping the Zhangs decide whether to address the media to plead for the safe return of their daughter.
The only statement the Zhangs have made has been through police, the day after Cecilia vanished.
On Thursday, Sgt. Jim Muscat said Cecilia’s abduction has left her parents in physical and emotional tatters, but stressed they were “very optimistic” the girl was still alive.
Police have received more than 625 leads since Cecilia disappeared, and Muscat said personnel was being redeployed to make sure those leads are followed up.
“We are now entering into a new phase of the investigation,” said Muscat. “It’s an investigative phase which is more focused on specific investigative leads.”
“We’re refocusing our attention now to the investigative aspect of this case. Each and every one of those leads will be exhausted.”
Jia wouldn’t give any details about what he’s learned about the investigation, or whether he’s received any phone calls that police may be following up.
“I have nothing to tell for now,” said Jia, a Chinese newspaper publisher who lives across the street from the Zhangs.
Cecilia, described as an avid reader and budding pianist, was discovered missing Monday morning when her mother went into her bedroom to wake her for school. A broken screen window at the rear of the top floor of the home suggested an abduction.
