Public Assistance Requested in Locating Missing St. Catharines Youth
Detectives with the **Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS)** are asking for the public’s help in locating **17-year-old Jada Balgobin**, who was reported missing earlier this week.
According to police, Jada was officially reported missing on **Monday, January 5, 2026**, and despite ongoing investigative efforts, officers have so far been unable to locate her. Authorities say the exact date and time she was last seen are still under investigation, but it may have been as early as **December 15, 2025**, in the **downtown St. Catharines** area.
Detectives with the **NRPS 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Criminal Investigations Bureau** say there is **concern for Jada’s wellbeing**, prompting the public appeal for assistance. Police are urging anyone who may have seen her or has information about her whereabouts to come forward immediately.
Jada is described as a white female, approximately **5 feet 3 inches tall**, with a **thin build**. She has **dark hair with orange tips** and a **heart-shaped tattoo on her left hand**. Police say it is currently unknown what she was wearing at the time she was last seen.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the **Niagara Regional Police Service** at **905-688-4111**, option 3, extension **1009756**, and reference **NRPS Incident 26-1532**.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact **Crime Stoppers of Niagara** online or by calling **1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)**. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.
Police continue to investigate and are asking members of the community to remain alert and share verified information as efforts to locate Jada continue.
