Instead of celebrating Bianca Lebron?s 15th birthday Monday, her family is continuing to pray for her safe return.

Lebron was last seen on November 7, 2001 at the Elias Howe School. The fifth-grader told classmates she was going to the mall with her uncle and was seen getting into a brown and tan van. Police say they have followed hundreds of leads over the years, the most substantial involving Jason Lara in December of 2003. Lara, who was 22 at the time of his questioning, was rumored to be romantically involved with Lebron at the time of her disappearance. He was released and is not considered a suspect.

Lebron?s grandmother says she continues to pray for her granddaughter, though she has doubts as to whether Bianca is still alive. Bridgeport detectives ask anyone with information to call (203) 576-7621 or the News 12 Info Line at 203-354-INFO.

Related Information: Painful milestone approaching for family of missing Bridgeport girl Police hit apparent dead end in search for missing Bridgeport girl Hearing set for man believed to have information about missing Park City girl