November 7, 2004, 4:25 PM EST
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Even after three years, Carmelito Torres still has hope that her daughter will be found unharmed.
Ten-year-old
Bianca Lebron disappeared from outside Elias Howe School on Nov. 7, 2001. Police say the fifth-grader was waiting with other students to enter the school at about 8:30 a.m. when she told classmates she was leaving with an "uncle" on a shopping trip. The students saw her get into a brown-and-tan van with tinted windows.
It was the last time she was seen.
"Three years is a long time, and it's been very hard for us, but we still have hope that she will be returned to us," Torres said. "We would just appeal to the person who has her to let her go so that she can come home to us."
Police have had several sightings of a van that resembled the one she entered, but have not been able to develop solid leads. Police are still waiting for a break in the case.
"We are continuing our investigation and still interviewing people when we get leads," Sgt. Jesus Ortiz said. "As recently as a few weeks ago we were interviewing people. It never stops."
The girl's disappearance has been publicized through national media outlets, including the television program "America's Most Wanted," and People magazine. A total of $62,000 in reward money for information leading to her whereabouts remains unclaimed.
Last year, police questioned 20-year-old Jason Lara, who they believed might have had a relationship with Bianca. But they later released him after he continually denied knowing the girl's whereabouts.
"We are still awaiting her safe return as is her family," Howe Principal Lourdes Delgado said.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ct--missinggirl1107nov07,0,7414987.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire