This weekend marks the 18th anniversary of the day a Unadilla child went missing, and her family is hosting a 5K to raise awareness.
Eight-year-old Shy Shy Pate's family believes she was abducted on September 4, 1998 on a street corner about 300 feet from her house.
"She's been gone for almost 18 years now and we have not given up hope," says Shy Shy's sister, Laswanda Hickey.
Her family believes she was taken by someone in the small town of Unadilla. Her mother, Veronica Pate, remembers her daughter's loving heart, beautiful face, and sweet personality, but she can't figure out why, or who, would have taken her little angel.
"I never will give up and never [will] stop hoping and believing for her return," says Pate.
Which is why Shy Shy's family is organizing the first annual 5K in honor of their daughter, sister, and aunt.
"She has nieces and nephews who have never met her and that are very emotional about her, and they ask questions and we don't have answers," says Hickey.
The family says they are not giving up and they hope someone will hear their story and bring their Shy Shy home.
The 5K will start on at 8 a.m. on September 3rd at 511 Crumpler Avenue in Unadilla, outside the house where Shy Shy went missing nearly two decades ago.