Search continues for missing Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts

(KMSP) - Nearly 300 miles south of the Twin Cities, the search for Mollie Tibbetts intensifies.

On July 18, the 20-year-old went for a jog in the small town of Brooklyn, Iowa and she hasn’t been seen since.

“I think that the circumstances of this disappearance are so unusual,” said Rob Tibbetts, Mollie’s father.

Making the rounds on national media, Tibbetts’ parents are remaining hopeful that their daughter will return home alive.

“It’s total speculation on my part, but I think Mollie is with somebody that she knows, that is in over their head that there was some type of misunderstanding about the nature of their relationship and at this point they don’t know how to get out from under this,” said Rob Tibbetts.

Jane Straub is a victim advocate with the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center in Minneapolis. Wetterling was 11 years old when he was abducted in 1989. A confession from a longtime suspect wouldn’t come until more than 20 years later.

“We’ve known from Patty and a lot of parents that have experienced this, is that hope is your guide,” said Straub.

The organization provides support services to families of missing loved ones. Straub says the Tibbetts case is rare.

“It is your worst fear, and so with that it’s not common that that happens and with that comes the unknown of who takes someone and where is she?” said Straub.

It's been reported that an Iowa pig farmer has been asked to take a lie detector test in connection with Tibbetts' disappearance. The reward fund for information on this case exceeds more than $300,000 - it's a record amount that is expected to grow.

“Law enforcement and FBI and people who work on those crimes talk about the first 48 hours are crucial, but again we never give up hope and we know that people come home,” said Straub.