Mother suspects human trafficking linked to teen girls’ disappearance in Brampton

The mother of one of two teen girls missing nearly a month from a Brampton mall says her daughter may have been “brainwashed” into human trafficking.

Aleena, 15, was last seen in Brampton on March 29 at the Bramalea City Centre in Brampton, the Waterloo Regional Police Service said in posts on social media earlier this month.

The teen from Kitchener went missing along with her friend, 17-year-old Sophia from Waterloo last month.

Aleena’s mother Julie Sawatzky says the families have had “intermittent” communication since their disappearance.

But Sawatzky fears they’ve been trafficked, and told INsauga.com that “whatever they’re involved with they’ve been brainwashed for months maybe longer.”

She said the girls’ families “are still devastated” and are “all very scared for their well-being and that what they’re involved with is absolutely not good for them.”

The mother also said that whoever they are with knows “damn well that they are both missing.”

“The reality is we really don’t have any answers at this point and we are all just taking it in strides praying that they come home soon,” Sawatzky said in a statement.

“It’s going to take a long time to get them to understand the gravity of the situation and to help basically deprogram them,” Sawatzky said. “My hope is that all of this traction and all of this media attention will bring light to something that most people don’t even think could happen to their families .”

“Most people think this is something that only happens in the movies but it’s not,” she said.

Sawatzky said that Aleena doesn’t have a cell phone but it’s possible Sophia has a “burner phone” that she could use to contact police or family.

She also issued a warning to other parents, saying to know the difference “between kidnapping and grooming and trafficking,” and that “there are many phases to the trafficking journey.”

Insauga.com reached out to Waterloo police for an update on the investigation with police saying officers are “continuing to search for both Aleen and Sophia.”

“At this time, their whereabouts are unknown and we continue to work with neighbouring police services in hopes of locating both girls,” police said in a statement.

Peel Regional Police have said Brampton and Peel Region are a hub for human trafficking due to the city’s proximity to 400 series highways and Pearson International Airport as well as a large number of vulnerable international students.

Aleena is described as a 15-year-old standing around five feet six inches tall with an athletic build and long curly brown hair.

Sophia is described as a 17-year-old standing around five feet four inches tall with a slim build and long, dark hair.

Anyone with information on the girls’ whereabouts is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police by calling 519-570-9777 ext. 8191. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.

MISSING PERSONS:
Aleena, 15, from Kitchener and Sophia, 17, from Waterloo.

Aleena and Sophia were last seen on March 29, 2025, at the Bramalea City Centre in Brampton.

Aleena is described as 5’6”, with an athletic build and long curly brown hair.

Sophia is described as 5’4″,… pic.twitter.com/P6MxerW6Ux

— Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) April 7, 2025