The family of a missing 11-year-old girl is pleading for her return as Stamford police work to bring her home safely.

Jenifer Urquia was last seen by her babysitter around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at home on Ludlow Street. 

Police say Urquia told the babysitter she was going to the store down the street on the corner of Ludlow and Pacific. She never returned.

Irene Portillo spent Wednesday night looking for her niece throughout Stamford. Portillo says she went to corner stores, showing the girl’s picture, hoping anyone had seen her. She says her family is devastated.

Stamford Police Sgt. Joseph Kennedy says Uriqua is a little young for a runaway situation. 

“There’s just some issues that are going on within her life,” says Kennedy. 

Kennedy says they believe she was picked up by a car on Ludlow Street.

“Probably an arranged ride and made her way either to the train station or directly out of town,” says Kennedy. 

Police do not believe this was an abduction, but “someone who left on their own”. 

Urquia’s younger sister told police she heard her talking on the phone about meeting someone in Waterbury. 

Stamford police are working with investigators there. 

Portillo says she wants her niece to know how much her family loves her. 

“We all love you and we miss you. Please come back home,” says Portillo. 

Anyone with information on Jenifer Urquia’s whereabouts is asked to contact Stamford Police at (203) 977-4444.