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Parents of missing teen search for answers

Posted at 10:39 PM, Mar 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-24 22:39:29-04

DEWITT, Mich. — Police are looking for the public's help in finding a missing teenager.

Iliana Faith Roque has been missing since Tuesday, and her parents are speaking out.

"Trying to cope. It's difficult. It's not anything I would wish on anybody. I don't care who you are, everybody loves their child," her stepfather Gabriel Garza said.

Iliana's parents said they have been worrying nonstop about where their daughter is. They say they are trying to be positive, but the fear of the unknown is what keeps them up at night.

"It's every parent's worst nightmare. We keep hearing from everybody 'oh this has happened to us, she'll come home, she's probably with a friend.' But 'probably' doesn't make us sleep at night. 'Probably' doesn't give us rest. We know the safest place for our child is in our home."

Her parents say she was last seen near Scott and Main St. in DeWitt. They have put up flyers everywhere.

"This is totally out of character for her. And with her being such a small person. She's very timid. Very scared. She doesn't just sleep anywhere. She doesn't just go with anyone," her mother Veronica Garza said.

The family says they have had a lot of support from the community, and even had a man offer to hang up more posters. They said they will do anything to bring her home.

"Iliana, if you're out there, me and your mom love you," Gabriel Garza said through tears.

Iliana was last seen wearing jeans, long sleeve black shirt with white stripes, black knee-high boots, and a Nike backpack. She is 16, 4-feet, 9-inches tall, and weighs about 85 pounds

Police say she could be in the DeWitt or Lansing area.

If you have any information call the Lansing Police Department at (517) 483-4600.