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Family Of Missing Conn. Student: 'Help Us Bring Our Loved One Home'

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The family of a missing Eastern Connecticut State University student is pleading with the public to come forward with any information that might help find her.

Alyssiah Wiley's parents, state police and a state prosecutor spoke at a news conference at the Willimantic school Thursday.

The 20-year-old sophomore psychology major from West Haven was last seen April 20 near the Dairy Queen in Willimantic en route to campus.

"Please, from a mother to the public -- please help us bring our loved one, my baby, home," Wiley's mother Corrinna Martin. "She has her family who wants her home. She has friends who want her home. We need your help.''

"Please, please, help us," her father Christopher Wiley said.

State police have interviewed people who know Wiley and searched the area with dogs and aircraft. Troopers said they've developed leads but need more information.

"Any bit of information that anyone can share with us, even if you think it's insignificant, might be helpful to us in our investigation,'' Windham State's Attorney Patricia Froehlich said.

Campus and state police have searched the area and other parts of the state. Troopers have used search dogs and aircraft and interviewed numerous people who know Wiley.

Police also found a black Nissan Altima last week near the Bridgeport-Fairfield line that they said was connected to the case, but officials wouldn't say how it was related.

"We do have some information, but we are missing that one piece," Conn. State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said. "No matter how small you might think your information is, that little piece may help us move the investigation to the next level."

State police said they and campus police are planning spot checks in Willimantic on Saturday night to ask people for information.

"This is not a young lady who would walk away from such a life. This is not a young lady who would put her family through this much grief," Martin said. "This is, however, a young lady who is full of life, full of energy and full of the hope that her future is bright. --- We're just asking, please, please, please find it in your heart to open up your mouth and speak.''

Wiley is described as a black woman who is 5-feet-6-inches tall and about 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact state police anonymously by texting "TIP711'' and a message to CRIMES (274637), or by calling state police at 860-685-8190.

Froehlich has also set up a Facebook page where people can obtain and share information about the case. You can visit that Facebook page by clicking here.

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