Family Still Searches For Answers In Mother's 2009 Disappearance

Althedia Vaught has been missing a little more than two years, and her three children are still as desperate for answers as they were when it happened.

Vaught missed holidays, birthdays and the births of two grandchildren.

Her children are convinced something horrible has happened to her, but they don't believe she's dead.

Althedia Vaught cleaned her house the night of January 19, 2009, then told her two youngest kids that she was going to bed.

But she left the house at 11:30 p.m., still in her pajamas, with nothing but her cell phone.

She left her TV and heater on in her bedroom, jewelry still on the nightstand.

Her son Emmanuel had been watching a basketball game on the couch and doesn't remember hearing her car start.

"I think somebody kidnapped her and is keeping her against her will," Thomas said.

Althedia's Inftinity was found days later abandoned at the Hillcrest Medical Center parking garage.

Surveillance video showed it pulling in around midnight, although it was impossible to tell who was driving.

A truck with three triangles on the side pulled in within a half hour and later left. Police have always wanted to talk to that driver.

Despite the passage of time, her children believe she's alive -- partly because the voicemail on her cell phone changed from music to her name months after she disappeared and they believe her voice sounded altered by drugs.

"She's a strong woman," Thomas said. "I know she's still alive out there somewhere."

Thomas now has a 1-year-old son and her sister has a little boy, both of whom were born since Vaught went missing.

Thomas said he and his brother and sister have scattered since their mother disappeared, and now his brother is behind bars. He said it's just wrecked the whole family and that's why it's so important to get answers and bring her home.

"It would be very important to us," Thomas said. "It would save a family. We're losing my brother. My sister is struggling. I'm struggling. It would save a whole family."

Police fear Vaught has been hurt or more likely killed. They would like anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.