"Come home baby:" Alexis Patterson's mother hopeful for daughters return after 17 years

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Alexis Patterson's mother Ayanna Patterson says she's never given up hope in the search for her daughter. 

On May 3, 2002, Alexis was dropped off at her Milwaukee elementary school and never seen again.

"Today marks 17 years, 204 months, 6,205 days, 148,920 hours, 893,520 minutes and 536,112,000 seconds and I am still fighting," said Ayanna.

The month of May is Alexis Patterson Hear Their Voice Month. It's in honor of Alexis and is dedicated to all missing children. Ayanna says she's received a proclamation from the city every year Alexis has been missing. Every year, Ayanna has events for Alexis. 

She sat down with CBS 58 and has this message for her daughter. 

“Alexis, mommy loves you. Come home baby, I am right here, I am waiting for you but it is really hard for me to keep waiting. It’s hard for me to keep waiting everything I understand everything happens in divine time," said Ayanna. 

Milwaukee Police and the FBI continue to investigate this case.