MONROE, Mich. – Thursday marks the three year anniversary of the disappearance of Nevaeh Buchanan. And her murder still remains a mystery.
Buchanan was 5 years old when she was last seen playing outside an apartment complex in Monroe. An Amber Alert was issued for her on May 24, 2009.
Her body was found just days later on June 4 buried near the River Raisin. She was encased in concrete.
In an interview with Local 4, the girl's mother, Jennifer, said the last few years have been rough.
Early on, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department had named two persons of interest – James Easter and George Kennedy. Both convicted sex offenders who had previous relationships with Jennifer Buchanan.
But the two men were never charged.
Jennifer Buchanan said she still hears accusations that she killed her daughter.
"I have nothing to do with this. If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you," she said.
She added she hasn't spoken to police in almost two years.
But the girl's grandmother said she talks to the Sheriff's Department and will keep pushing for answers.
"I don't want it to go cold case. I want it to be solved," said Sherry Buchanan.
The Sheriff's Department did not respond to Local 4's requests.
Nevaeh's family displays many reminders of her. A small memorial is built on a piece of the concrete that was used to conceal her body.
"It's hard to let go right now. I'm not ready," Jennifer Buchanan said.
Jennifer Buchanan said she's going back to school to become a counselor so she can help others.
Meanwhile, she's still waiting for justice.
"I feel in my heart that it'll get solved. Hopefully, sooner and not later," she said.