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WESTMINSTER, Colo. (KDVR) — The family of a 17-year-old who went missing five years ago to the day is hoping for a holiday miracle to find their loved one.

Nathaniel Holmes was last seen and heard from on Dec. 19, 2017, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. His mother dropped him off at Hidden Lake High School that morning. NCMEC recently spoke to his father and sister, and they said he was acting normal before going to school.

“I saw him that morning, he seemed happy and eager to go to school. We still did our normal routine: ‘I love you’, ‘Have a good day at school,’” Holmes’ sister Hannah told NCMEC.

NCMEC said after Holmes’ mom dropped him off, he left school, called her and told her that his father’s friend would pick him up after school. NCMEC said he supposedly asked a woman to borrow her phone to make the call since his was broken at the time.

An age progression illustration of what Nathaniel Holmes would look like at age 20
An age progression illustration of what Nathaniel Holmes, who was 17 at the time of his disappearance on Dec. 19, 2017, would look like at age 20. (Photo credit: National Center for Endangered and Missing Children)

When Holmes never came home, his family called the Westminster Police Department.

“We will never give up hope on him. And everyone’s looking no matter where we are. I’m looking. My dad’s looking, my mom’s looking,” Hannah said.

The family is holding a candle-lighting ceremony at Faversham Park in Arvada at 6 p.m.

Anyone with any information about Nathaniel or his disappearance is asked to contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or WPD at 303-658-4360.