CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. -- It has been 18 years since 9-year-old Asha Degree went missing from her home in Shelby, North Carolina.

The FBI says in February 2000, Degree left her home in the middle of the night and was spotted by several drivers walking on NC Highway 18. She has not been seen since that night. 

The FBI Task Force was brought in to investigate in 2017. Since then, investigators say they've interviewed 300 people. 

Saturday, family and friends came together to honor her memory and pray for her safe return. 

Even after all of these years, Degree's mom says they refuse to give up searching. 

"We never gave up hope, we still haven't gave up hope," says Iquilla Degree, Asha's mom. "It's just that 'Okay, it's another year, we still don't have closure, so we just gotta get ourselves together, and let's get through this, and then just keep living each day by day with the help of God." 

There is a $45,000 reward for information leading to the person or people responsible for Asha's disappearance. If you know anything you're asked to call 704-672-6100.