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Search for Diana Alvares has been called off

Posted at 9:20 PM, Jun 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-17 01:59:29-04

The search was called off Wednesday for missing 9-year-old Diana Alvares, who vanished from her San Carlos Park home more than two weeks ago.

The prime suspect in her disappearance is 28-year-old Jorge Guerrero, who is in jail on a child porn charge after images were found on his phone.

At the press conference Wednesday, Diana's Alvares' mother plead with the man authorities believe abducted her 9-year-old daughter.

"Jorge, if you have the girl, please let us know tell us where she is, let us know" said Rita through a translator.

The family's attorney announced the search for little Diana has been suspended. "I had one investigator tell me in his 23 years at the Sheriff's Office, this is one of the hardest investigations he's had." said attorney Thomas Busatta.

According to Busatta, Diana's 6-year-old sister told investigators Diana spoke to her about a plan to runaway with Guerrero. He also revealed authorities told the family they requested an Amber Alert early in Diana's disappearance twice, but were denied by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Four In Your Corner contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and learned only one request was ever made, three days after Diana's disappearance. That request was approved.

In the meantime, the family says they remain confident little Diana is still alive.

"I know for a fact that my daughter is okay, she's alive" says her mother.

The family's attorney says he has asked to speak with Guerrero so Diana's parents can ask him about any communication he had with Diana both before and during her disappearance. He also says the FBI has questioned Diana's birth father in Mexico and he was been cleared of any wrongdoing.