Yorkton teen still missing after 3 months

Mekayla Bali has been missing for nearly three months, and her family had to celebrate her 17th birthday this week without her this year.

The Yorkton teen was last seen on April 12 at 1:45 p.m. at a Yorkton a bus station.

Her family last saw her that morning when her mother, Paula Bali, dropped her off at school.

The family learned Mekayla was missing when her grandmother went to pick her up at the end of the day, and she was not at the school.

"It is entirely out of character for her to not be in contact with her family," said Paula Baliduring a newsconference Friday.

Paula Bali , Mekayla Bali's mother, is hoping for the safe return of the missing teen.

8 years ago

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Paula Bali , Mekayla Bali's mother, is hoping for the safe return of the missing teen.

RCMP investigation

The RCMP said that so far, there is no evidence that Mekayla has come to harm.

There had been rumours that Mekayla was seen in Regina or Saskatoon, and theRCMP have followed up on those rumours. They could not confirm that these sightings were of Mekayla.

RCMP Inspector Jennifer Ebert saidpolicehave received 38 tips and conducted more than100 interviews regarding Mekayla's disappearance. TheRCMP said all leads hadbeen thoroughly investigated.

April 12 timeline

TheRCMPhave constructed a timeline ofMekayla'swhereabouts the morning of her disappearance. They have been able to account for her whereabouts up until 1:45 p.m., except for the time between 10:45 a.m. and 11:55 a.m.

Here is a timeline of Mekayla'sknown whereabouts the day she went missing.

• 8:20 a.m.Mekayla dropped off at Sacred Heart High School
• Between 8:25 a.m. and8:30 a.m. Mekayla leaves the school
• Visits 160 Broadway Street East Tim Horton's in Yorktontwice between 9 a.m. and 9:55 a.m.
• 10:45 a.m.- 11:55 a.m.whereabouts unknown
• Returns to school for 10 minutes around noon
• Between 12:15 and 1 p.m. goes to STC Bus Depot in Yorkton and purchases a meal at the Trail Stop Restaurant
• Between 1 and 1:45 p.m. leaves the STC Bus Depot in Yorkton

"The question we are asking the public is, 'Where were you on April 12?' Take a moment, think back," said Ebert.

"For Mekayla to have been missing since April 12 and for us to know nothing about where she's been for the past months is very concerning to us, and that is why we are asking the public please help us fill in the gaps."

The RCMP are particularly looking for an unknown man who was seen leaving the Yorkton bus depot around the same time as Mekayla on April 12. He is 40 to 50 years of age, 5-10" 6-2" in height, stocky to medium build with a tattoo of a cross with flames around it below his left elbow.

Ebert said that this man is not a suspect, and that police want to contact him to see if he has any knowledge about Mekayla's whereabouts.

A family searching

Distraught family and friends showed their supportat the press conference Friday.

"The feeling of not knowing if you are alright is beyond heartbreaking. It is unspeakable pain and worry," said Bali.

"Your loveliness is missed every moment. You are a beautiful, unique flower who I am afraid is being trampled in a world of the uncaring."

Mekayla's mother reiterated the RCMP's message to provide any piece of information, no matter how small, as it may be a critical piecein bringing Mekayla home.

If you have any information regarding Mekayla, please contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).