TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. — Premier Jean Charest met privately with the parents of a nine-year-old Quebec girl who has been missing for more than two weeks.

Charest also met with police officers working on the case of Cedrika Provencher, the freckle-faced girl who didn't return home from a bike ride on July 31.

The premier didn't comment publicly on his visit, but Cedrika's parents told Radio-Canada they appreciated the gesture and that he spoke to them as a parent.

Cedrika's disappearance has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to help look for her and an $80,000 reward has been offered for information in the case.

Police have said witnesses have told them she was last seen helping to look for a lost dog.