BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sunday, Aug. 4 marked four years since the disappearance of 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin.

“We’re here today to remind everybody that this is the actual physical day that Jaylen Griffin was last seen breathing and walking,” said Pastor Tim Newkirk, founder of GYC Ministries.

But this year is different after Jaylen’s body was found in an attic this past April. 

“I don’t have closure as of yet. We need to find out who is responsible for Jaylen’s death. We need to have them tried, sentenced and committed. Until then I will never have closure,” said Brian Griffin, Jaylen’s father.

It's an anniversary that has not gotten any easier.

“It's just been a difficult road. We have no answers as of yet,” said Brian.

His father and Pastor Newkirk of GYC ministries are continuing to remind the community of what happened — this year honoring Jaylen with a month-long back-to-school drive.

“Every book bag that will be donated to the ministry, we’re going to put the logo of Justice for Jaylen Griffin,” said Newkirk. 

GYC Ministries hopes to use the drive as a way to highlight Jaylen’s story and educate the community on child abductions.

“So many young kids are being abducted and sex trafficked throughout the United States at an all-time high. We have this case because it’s a close case and it’s something that we had hands on,” Newkirk said.

With a goal of pushing the search for justice forward.

“So that this right here never happens to anybody else’s child ever again,” said Brian. “When you see something you say something, when you know something you do something. When something doesn’t line up you investigate, you do not stop,” said Newkirk.