Nova Scotia Tracks Hundreds of Missing Youth Incidents in Group Homes
New quarterly data from Nova Scotia reveals 491 incidents involving missing children and youth in group homes between August 2025 and March 2026. Former residents cite fear, bullying, and lack of trust as reasons for leaving, while experts highlight the vulnerability of these youth to homelessness and trafficking.
The Department of Community Services in Nova Scotia has begun tracking quarterly reports on missing youth in government care, revealing hundreds of incidents over a seven-month period. Between August 2025 and March 2026, the province recorded 491 incidents involving missing children or youth considered at "imminent risk" while living in group homes.
With fewer than 150 children currently living in group homes across Nova Scotia, the high number of incidents suggests that some youth are reported missing multiple times. The provincial department initiated this quarterly analysis of serious incidents in summer 2025 after accepting a recommendation from the Auditor General to examine trends more closely.
Research by Lorna Ferguson indicates that group homes are the primary location where youth are reported missing in Canada. Data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) shows approximately 500 "runaway" child reports in Nova Scotia in 2025, with more than half representing habitual or chronic runaways. Current policy requires group home staff to report a missing child to the province within 12 hours of an unapproved absence.
Former youth in care attribute their absences to feelings of fear, bullying, lack of trust in staff, and severed social connections. Grayson Balzan, now 21, left his first group home at age 12 due to bullying, violence, and the theft of his stuffed toy. He had six social workers before aging out of the system. Ashley Coggins-Comeau estimates she was marked as "gone without permission" 20 to 30 times during her youth.
Experts note that vulnerable youth facing these circumstances are at increased risk of homelessness and human trafficking. Frequent moves and a lack of stable relationships sever social connections, acting as a significant risk factor for running away. Former residents also report lasting issues with trust and mental health stemming from negative experiences in care.
The Department of Community Services states it is deeply concerned about these trends and is working to understand them through trauma-informed practices. Police resources are utilized for vice unit investigations into missing youth cases, highlighting the complex challenges faced by both law enforcement and social services.