One-year-old East Toledo girl remains missing

A one-year-old East Toledo girl remains missing tonight.

Toledo police and members of the FBI scoured East Toledo neighborhoods today, searching homes and vacant buildings for little Elaina Steinfurth, who disappeared Sunday.

Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said today they still don’t know if the missing toddler became lost, was abducted, or had something worse happen to her. No breakthroughs were reported after another long day of searching, he said.

"We are still looking for her, still as a missing person," Sergeant Heffernan said.

Five hours before a planned vigil tonight, family friend Leon Oldham, of Toledo, led a short prayer near Federal and Leonard streets. About 50 people stood nearby, including Elaina’s father, Terry Steinfurth.

"I just asked for Elaina's safety and for her to be returned to the family safely and that she's blessed and content and protected by the Lord," Mr. Oldham said.

Elaina's sister, Kylee, 4, was there, too.

"She's been asking," Mr. Steinfurth said. "She doesn't know a whole lot. I'm trying to keep it as far from her as possible."

Elaina, who is only 1, was staying in the 700 block of Federal with her mother, Angela Steinfurth. The toddler was reported missing Sunday afternoon by her father, who had gone to the residence an hour earlier with the understanding he would be picking up both daughters there. Only Kylee was found.

The FBI became a part of the investigation during its early stages. Officials from the bureau were seen searching neighborhood garbage cans today in addition to doing multiple interviews.

"I just hope she's safe wherever she is," Mr. Steinfurth said. He also said he’d heard from the FBI there were no new developments.