The mother of a missing Iowa college student said Thursday that she hopes whoever may have taken her daughter lets her go — as she announced that $172,000 had been raised for her safe return.

“We believe Mollie is still alive,” Laura Calderwood said at a news conference live-streamed by the Des Moines Register. “If someone has abducted her we are pleading with you to please release her.”

Calderwood’s daughter, Mollie Tibbetts, was last seen July 18 jogging around the 1,400-person town of Brooklyn, Iowa. The University of Iowa student was reported missing the next day when she didn’t show up to her day care job.

Investigators have said it would be out of character for Tibbetts to disappear on her own but also can’t say what happened to her.

Calderwood said the girl’s family has partnered with the Crimestoppers of Central Iowa to set up an anonymous tip line and to manage the reward fund.

“We have raised $172,000 that will be paid to you as soon as Mollie is safely home,” Calderwood said.

The distraught mom pleaded for people to contact Crimestoppers if they have “seen anything [they] feel is related to Mollie’s disappearance.”

Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 800-452-1111 or 515-223-1400. People can also send in information online at crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com.