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Police probing the abduction of eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford are likely still focusing on the little girl's family and friends, a veteran child abduction investigator says.
"I'm guessing they are still in the process of working inside Tori's family and working their way out," Dave Perry, a former Toronto police officer and head of an investigative agency, said yesterday, adding that Tori likely knew her abductor.
Perry was in charge of Toronto's sexual assault squad in 2003. He led investigations into the high- profile abduction and murder of 10-year-old Holly Jones of Toronto and the disappearance of Cecilia Zhang, 9, of Toronto, who was later found found murdered in Mississauga.
Despite calls for the investigation to broaden its scope outside Woodstock, police are doing exactly what they should be doing by concentrating on the city, Perry said, "because it is the last place Tori was seen."
The surveillance video released by police shows the little girl knew and was comfortable with her abductor, Perry added.
"It certainly appears Tori knows this woman very well. She is walking along with her. The woman stops and Tori catches up. She is very comfortable with this woman."
Tori's mother, Tara McDonald, renewed calls yesterday for police to broaden their search beyond Woodstock.
"I want it to start going elsewhere," McDonald said.
"Who would be stupid enough to keep her in this small community?"
Tori was last seen two weeks ago today. The Grade 3 pupil at Oliver Stephens public school was seen after school April 8 -- on a security video shot from a nearby high school -- walking with an unidentified woman north on Fyfe Avenue.
Yesterday, OPP continued searching local waterways and the Oxford County landfill in Salford, about 25 kilometres southwest of Woodstock, for clues.
Perry said he understands why the public is frustrated at hearing little news the last two weeks.
For police, however, the investigation is really just beginning, he said.
"It's a massive undertaking. There is so much to do and so many tips to follow. They are just starting to find their stride."
Police work harder than ever on these kinds of cases, Perry said.
"Police officers are fathers and mothers. There are plenty of officers (on this case) not getting enough sleep at night."
But the two weeks without information about Tori does suggest bad news.
"There can be hope, but we know the chances of her getting back to us alive diminish with each passing day," Perry said.
John Durant, executive director of Child Find Canada's Ontario office, agreed.
Durant praised McDonald, who is holding daily news conferences, for keeping Tori's plight in the media.
Randy Richmond is a Free Press reporter. randy.richmond@sunmedia.ca