WAITING FOR WORD...

It's the one question on everyone's lips - is it her? The skeletal remains of a child were found by a hiker in the woods behind a church at Mississauga Road and Eglinton Ave. near Highway 403 Saturday, leading to speculation the remains could be those of Cecilia Zhang.

The little girl was kidnapped from her Whitehorn Crescent bedroom last October and despite a worldwide search, there's been no sign of her.

Adding to the concern is the fact the Toronto Police Forensic Unit has appeared at the scene to join Peel cops, although none of them are saying anything. Authorities have also gathered at the Zhang's North York home, although it isn't clear why.

About all we know for sure is that the body appears to be that of a young girl, and may have been there for some time. For now, experts have two big tasks - conduct an afternoon autopsy to discover the cause of death of the youngster, and determine the identity of the child.

Police have been searching for Cecilia non-stop since she disappeared five months ago. Both her parents and authorities have said they're certain she's still alive, and the Zhangs have mortgaged their house to offer a $200,000 reward for her return, with no questions asked.

It's a grim time for the beleaguered family, as they wait for word. Cecilia will mark her 10th birthday on Tuesday.

March 28, 2004 Sunday
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20040328-001/page.asp

Cecilia Zhang Home page
http://www.ceciliazhang.org/contact_en.html