SALISBURY, N.C. — July 30, 2016 marks a sad anniversary. Three years ago, Salisbury teen, Erica Parsons, was reported missing almost two years after she disappeared.
Her adoptive parents, Casey and Sandy Parsons, are behind bars for collecting thousands in benefits meant for Erica, after she disappeared.
"Nobody can just fall off the face of the earth," Erica's adoptive aunt, Robin Ashley said. "She's out there somewhere."
Ashley and Erica's adoptive sister, Brooklyn MacDonald, still have no idea where the Salisbury teen is.
In 2013, Erica's adoptive brother alerted police that Erica hadn't been seen since November 2011.
Deputies launched a search and investigation that continues to this day. But so far, they have no answers.
"My biggest fear is she will never be found. She deserves to be found," MacDonald said.
Click below to hear from MacDonald on Erica's disappearance:
Erica's adoptive parents, Casey and Sandy Parsons, are in prison, convicted of taking thousands in state and federal benefits like adoption assistance, while she was missing.
The couple claims Erica went to live with her biological grandmother, Nan Goodman, in Asheville. A woman authorities said doesn't exist.
"They can help lead to her recovery and they haven't been as forthcoming as we hoped," said Robert Lowery, vice president at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Lowery told Channel 9 that by not sharing information, the Parsons are hampering the investigation, but he said the center works constantly on Erica's case.
"We do work on the dark side of things. We collect biometric information on children. We facilitate DNA collection and dental records," he said.
Colin McNally is a forensic artist at the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. He updates Erica's age progression photo every two years in hopes of finding Erica.
"I'm able to actually go into her original photograph and borrow her eyes," he said.
For Erica's family, hope is fading she'll be found alive.
Anchor Allison Latos asked MacDonald if she thought her parents lied about Erica's whereabouts.
"Yeah, I think so," said MacDonald.
Macdonald and Ashley told Channel 9 they visited Sandy Parsons in prison and that he told them he knows where Erica is.
"He did say when they do find her everyone will be shocked. We don't know what that means," said MacDonald.
Click below to hear from Erica's aunt on her disappearance:
"Bottom line is. He wants a deal," said Ashley. "If they'll give him a deal, he'll tell where she's at."
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the FBI won't comment on the case, but said the case is still open.
Erica's family members said they won't give up until they know what really happened to her.
"Until she's found, until she has justice, I'll never stop wondering where she is. I'll never give up until the day I die," said Ashley.
Latos requested to interview the Parsons in prison, but both declined.
The FBI is still offering a $25,000 reward to find Erica.