Family members gather in Cleveland to plea for answers about Amanda Berry's disappearance

CLEVELAND - Family and friends of Amanda Berry gathered Thursday night at the spot she was last seen eight years ago.

They come together at the Burger King on Lorain Avenue and West 110th Street in Cleveland. Amanda was set to celebrate her 17th birthday the next day.

"She would have walked right down here and to the left," said activist Judy Martin, while pointing towards Amanda's home in Cleveland. "She was going home for a birthday party."

Martin works with Survivors/Victims of Tragedy, and has been an advocate for the Berry family and their search to find Amanda.

Amanda was on the phone with her sister Beth Serrano as she left the restaurant.  She told Beth that her ride was here.  Amanda's sister recalls the conversation daily.  "My one question is why I didn't ask who was giving you the ride," said Serrano.

The hope each year at this spot at this time in hopes that the sight of this gathering will stir the memory of someone or prompt someone to come forward but each year the gathering get's smaller. 

Something the mother of Gina DeJesus doesn't understand.  "For the community not come out on a day that is so beautiful to participate and support us when our child is out there," said Nancy Ruiz.

"What is wrong with this picture, what is wrong with this community?"

"If all of us paid attention to each other, things like this wouldn't be happening," Judy Martin said. "People don't pay attention to what is going on until it happens to them."

The FBI has followed many leads during the eight-year span since Berry disappeared. Some evidence has pointed towards human trafficking. The FBI considers berry's case to be open and active.

"Someone knows," Martin said. "Someone knows where Amanda is."

Earlier this month marked the seventh anniversary of the disappearance of Gina DeJesus. She vanished while walking home from school near West 105th Street and Lorain Avenue.

Her mother said not knowing what happened to her is almost unbearable.

"It gets harder each day, each week, each month and each year," Nancy DeJesus said.

Anyone with information on either girl should contact the FBI at 216-522-1400.