SANDUSKY, Ohio — A Sandusky mother is pleading for her daughter's safe return – after she says she disappeared 2 and a half years ago.
3News Investigator Rachel Polansky uncovers why the case is unlike any other missing person's report.
As she flips through photo after photo, Caroline Tokar describes her 39-year-old daughter, Amanda Dean, as a mother of four with an infectious smile.
“This is one of her and her four boys. It’s just a great family picture. She loves her boys very much,” said Caroline Tokar, Amanda’s mother.
Caroline says Amanda disappeared 2 and a half years ago.
The family believes Amanda was being abused physically and emotionally by a boyfriend.
“I've never heard from my daughter. No one in my family has heard from her. We don't know if she is safe,” said Tokar.
In July of 2017, the family reported Amanda’s disappearance to the Huron County Sheriff's Office.
At first, Huron County Sheriff Todd Corbin treated the case as a missing person's investigation.
But that soon changed after he talked with a domestic violence shelter and learned Amanda was living there.
“They explained the protocol is that they don't normally relay that information but for purposes of what you’re doing, we'll just say that she's fine, she's in a good place and she's being cared for,” said Huron County Sheriff Todd Corbin.
Sheriff Corbin relayed that information to Amanda's family and thought the case was closed.
But it wasn't closed for Caroline, who finds little comfort in his words.
“I just don't believe my daughter would go this long without contacting her boys, her sisters and her mom,” said Tokar.
Sheriff Corbin says his hands are tied, but he believes Amanda is okay.
Safe houses for obvious reasons do not reveal their locations and besides, Amanda is an adult.
“It’s at her discretion if she wants to contact her family. She is not being held against her will,” said Sheriff Corbin.
In the meantime, Tokar has a tearful message for her daughter.
“You’re gonna be a grandmother in August. I need you to come home,” said Tokar.
Is it unusual for someone to stay in a safe house for 2 and a half years?
3News talked with domestic violence shelters in our area who said it's unusual but it's not unheard of.