QUEENS, NY — According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the last time anyone saw 17-year-old Kimberli Amaya she was walking to her high school in New York City.

On September 29, 2017, Kimberli was heading to her destination of Northern Boulevard and Union Street to the Veritas Academy where she was starting ninth grade. She was last seen wearing a red shirt and navy pants and carrying a black backpack.

When Maria Amaya, Kimberli's mom, realized her daughter was missing, she contacted police. Amaya said they told her, "Oh, she's a run away. She'll come back."

But Kimberli didn't come back, and a few months later, during the 2017 holiday season, Amaya went on camera and told PIX 11 she was hoping for a Christmas miracle.

"All I want to know, my daughter is alive," Amaya sobbed.

Amaya revealed that not long after Kimberli vanished, a friend of the teen told her that, "Kimberli met someone on the internet. It's older people." It's one of the only tips the family has received, and Amaya is in fear for her daughter's safety.

Sadly for Amaya, this isn't the first daughter she's lost. Amaya's oldest daughter, Tatiana, died at just 16 years old from a mosquito bite she got in El Salvador. The bite worsened, was untreated, and ultimately took the teens life.

Kimberli now leaves behind two young siblings: a now nine-year-old brother and an eight-year-old sister who miss her terribly.

TRAITS & CHARACTERISTICS:

• Height: 4 feet 8 inches
• Weight: 120 pounds
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown
• Birth date: August 7, 2001
• Sex: Female
• Race: Hispanic

If you know anything about this case, please contact our hotline (833-3-PURSUE) or submit a tip online.

For more on this case, watch the “Crocodile Tears” episode of In Pursuit With John Walsh on Wednesday, February 6 at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery! Or catch up on ID GO.

Read more: Pix11