PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A family in Portsmouth refuses to give up hope in the search for their missing loved one. Amber Howard was seven months pregnant when she was reported missing last year.

Folks gathered in Portsmouth Monday to mark a sad occasion. Amber turned 22 years old Monday, but her family and friends couldn't even tell her happy birthday.

They haven't seen her since August and they know the chances of her coming home get worse with each passing day.

Monday was Amber Howard's birthday, but she wasn't there to blow out the candles. Her family hasn't heard from her in nearly eight months.

Her grandmother can't hold back the tears knowing a day that celebrates life only serves as a sad reminder that theirs will never be the same.

"We got her a birthday cake every year. We can't do without it this year. We were just hoping that she would have shown up today or we would hear some news today," Amber's grandmother Bonnie Bertram said.

The lead detective investigating her disappearance briefed family, friends and even a few strangers, but sadly he had no good news to report, only a plea to the public.

"This being Amber's 22nd birthday, today is the day that they need to come up with that information, call the Portsmouth Police Department, give me the information and let me find amber," Portsmouth Police Department Sergeant Jim Charles said.

It’s an entire family now relying on faith and friendship and hoping by her next birthday, Amber will be back home. Amber Howard was seven months pregnant when she vanished. Her child would now be about six months old.

Amber was last seen getting into a vehicle in Portsmouth on the night of August 10th. Detectives are certain someone somewhere knows what happened to her.

Police thought Amber's body may have been found in Columbus over the weekend, but it turned out to be somebody else.

Detectives say they're constantly getting leads and they follow up on each and every one. They say you can remain anonymous.