The mother of 16-year-old Devin Bond has continued to plead for his safe return five months since he disappeared.
Rutherford County officials and the community held searches to find the Murfreesboro teenager who went missing on March 31.
His mother, Heather Simmers, told NewsChannel 5 that he left the house overnight, and they discovered pillows and towels arranged under the sheets where he should have been sleeping.
Investigators believed that the Riverdale High School football player may have had a gun.
His phone was last pinged in the Tiger Hill area of Murfreesboro before it was turned off. Simmers said there was a possible sighting of Bond off Barfield Crescent Road in Murfreesboro.
"I think he was upset when he left. We found out later he broke up with his girlfriend that night," Simmers said.
However, Simmers and her family continued to hold on to hope and strongly believed that he will come back home.
"When you have a child that's missing and you don't have any answers, all you have is hope. I just want to hug him," she added. "I know we're going to find him."
Simmers said that there have been tips at least every week. Many of them suggesting Devin was spotted in the Murfreesboro area while others were from out of state.
"It's every week we get tips. It has never stopped really. It may have slowed down, but we still continue to get them," she said.
She has also received support and comfort from some of Tabitha Tuders' family members.
In 2003, 13-year-old Tabitha went missing in East Nashville while heading to catch a bus. Her family and friends hold a prayer vigil every year with hopes she will return home.
In a Facebook post, Simmers said "my heart will never be whole until you're home."
If you have any information about Devin, call the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at 615-898-7720.
A $5,000 reward has been offered for a tip that leads to his safe return.
