Key Takeaways

  • Toronto police are searching for three children allegedly taken during a semi-supervised visit in Scarborough.
  • Police identified vehicle owner Ionut Stroe as a person of interest and released details of the SUV involved.
  • No Amber Alert has been issued; police ask anyone with information to call 416-808-4100.

Toronto police are searching for three young children — including a four-month-old baby — who were allegedly taken by their mother during a semi-supervised visit in Scarborough on Friday. On Saturday, investigators identified a person of interest and released details of the vehicle the mother is believed to be driving.

What happened

At about 11:32 a.m. on Friday, October 23, police were called to the Midland Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East area for a reported abduction. The children — Daniel, 6, Irina, 3, and Anastasia, 4 months — were visiting a family member during a semi-supervised visit when their mother allegedly took them and fled.

The mother, Somerda Miclescu, 22, of Toronto, does not have legal custody of the children. She is wanted for abduction by a parent. Police describe her as 5-foot-7 and about 180 pounds, with long dark black hair; she was last seen wearing a long black skirt and a dark-coloured top.

Miclescu is believed to be driving a white 2017 Ford Expedition SUV with Ontario licence plate DJJS 875.

Person of interest identified

In an update on Saturday, October 24, police identified the owner of the vehicle as Ionut Stroe, 25, of Toronto, and named him a person of interest in the investigation. Stroe is also wanted on four counts of failing to comply with a release order in unrelated matters. He is described as about 5-foot-11 and 235 pounds, with a tattoo on his right forearm.

No Amber Alert has been issued in the case. Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters police do not believe Miclescu intends to harm her children, and do not believe she is trying to leave the province or the country.

What police are asking

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-4100.

The allegations against Miclescu and Stroe have not been proven in court.

Sources

Photo: GTD Aquitaine / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain) — apartment towers rise along Sheppard Avenue East in the neighbourhood of Agincourt in Scarborough, Toronto.

Sources