Dec 15, 2008 3:22 pm US/Eastern
A Mother's Hope Triumphs In Face Of Worst Fears
Laura Garza, 25, Has Not Been Seen Since Dec. 3 In NYC
Woman's Mother, Elizabeth Esquivel, Joins Cops In Search Efforts
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Mother of missing 25-Year-Old Laura Garza, Elizabeth Esquivel, arrived to New York City on Sunday to join police in the search for her daughter.
CBS
The search resumed Monday morning in Sullivan and Orange Counties for the missing Brooklyn woman, Laura Garza. While some family members are discouraged by the lack of progress, Garza's mother, Elizabeth Esquivel, says she is still hopeful.
Esquivel, weeping and kissing the photograph of her beautiful daughter told CBS 2 HD she has faith that the missing 25-year-old aspiring dancer will be found alive:
"She's alive. Esta bien…she's fine."
Elizabeth Esquivel flew into Newark Liberty from Texas Sunday night and in an interview with CBS 2's Dave Carlin, said it's her 'mother's intuition' that tells her that her daughter is safe.
Other family members and friends are not so sure. They are said to be tired and frustrated after twelve days of searching and little success. Many are saying there is reason to fear the worst and they are hoping that jailed registered sex offender Michael Mele will break his silence and tell police what happened.
"Let God into your heart and give us that information," Nick Garza, Laura's brother, said.
State police are now confirming that over the weekend they found sections of bleached carpet, along with 'other pieces of evidence' off Route 17. They say it appears to match Mele's carved up wall-to-wall carpet. But Laura's mother is so upset she can't even say Mele's name right now:
"We're not thinking about him right now. Our main focus is on her."
Laura's mother is hoping the continuing publicity will help in the search:
"We don't want this to die down. We want to continue as long as we can. When can you put a stop to a missing child? No matter what her age is, she's still a child. This is her mother and she's not going until she finds her," said family friend Lisela Villalobos.
Esquivel says she is so grateful for the outpouring of support in the New York community as the search continues.
The last time Esquivel spoke to her daughter, it was by phone. She learned that Laura had the day off from her job at a Manhattan shoe store, and was going out dancing at clubbing nightspot Marquee.
Laura Garza left the Manhattan nightclub with Mele early on Dec. 3. She was last seen with him hours later near his apartment in Wallkill, about 70 miles north of Manhattan.
Mele has not been charged in Garza's disappearance. He is being held on a probation violation charge.
CBS 2's Dave Carlin contributed to this story.
Stay with CBS 2 and wcbstv.com for more as this story develops.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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