MPD to conduct DNA testing after receiving tip in Alexis Patterson case

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police confirm to FOX6 News they will be conducting DNA testing after receiving a tip in the case of Alexis Patterson, who disappeared on May 3rd, 2002, when she was seven years old.

Police have apparently received a tip from someone in Ohio claiming a woman he knows may be Patterson.

Police said they will be conducting DNA testing "to determine if this person is Alexis Patterson."

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office held a ceremony for Alexis Patterson on May 3rd -- the 14th anniversary of Alexis' disappearance.

She went missing when she was just seven years old.

Alexis was last seen in front of her school, Hi-Mount Boulevard Community School. She has not been heard from or seen since.

At the time of her disappearance, Alexis was 3 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed 42 pounds -- with brown eyes and brown hair. Alexis was last seen wearing a red hooded jacket with grey stripes, a purple shirt, blue jeans and white Nike tennis shoes. She has a scar under her right eye and a bump on her left pinky finger.

During the ceremony, Alexis Patterson's mother, Ayanna, got emotional.

"If it's 20 years, if it's 30 years, something is going to come up," said Patterson.

Patterson was so upset, she was out of breath. Paramedics were called to the scene to take her to the hospital. Her sister then spoke for her, hoping for answers.

"Where is she at? What is she doing? If she's being taken care of, does she remember anybody?" said Angel Patterson, Alexis' aunt.

While years have gone by, the pain of a missing child has not.

"Have some remorse and send her home. If they see our pain, they see that we are still missing her," said Angel Patterson.

The photo below, on the left is of Alexis prior to her disappearance. The photo on the right is an age-progressed composite created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It was created to show what Alexis may look like at 17 years old.

"We think about you all the time Alexis and we will never forget you," said Angel Patterson.

The Sheriff’s Office is still offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her return. Anyone with any information regarding Alexis’ case can call the Sheriff’s Office at (414) 278-4788.