Today marks the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Jolene Riendeau.

Riendeau was 10-years-old when she vanished from Point St. Charles, after leaving a depanneur on April 12, 1999.

In an interview with CTV Montreal's Anne Lewis, Riendeau's mother said she believes Jolene is still alive.

"I'd just like to cuddle her," said Dolores Soucy. "I'm just tired of having that emptiness inside me. There's an empty black hole that I'd just like to cover up."

Riendeau had run away from home before, but her mother believes her last disappearance was an abduction.

"Who was selfish enough -- and I call that a beast -- that took my child away?" Soucy asked.

Hundreds of tips

Soucy said she was satisfied with the Montreal police investigation into her daughter's disappearance. More than 1,400 tips have been investigated since Riendeau was reported missing.

Four years ago, divers searched the Lachine Canal for a second time, but there have been no recent leads.

Soucy said she wonders if a neighbour was responsible for the abduction. She said the neighbour knew her daughter well, and has repeatedly refused a lie detector test.

"He was the only one who would not give it to me, not even after ten years. He will stay my suspect," she said.

Anniversary presents opportunity, says retired detective

Retired homicide detective Steve Roberts worked on the Riendeau case when he was head of the Montreal police department's homicide division.

He said he doesn't agree with Soucy's theory, but he does believe the anniversary of Riendeau's disappearance presents an arrest opportunity.

"He may end up talking to somebody, and if he does end up talking to somebody, that's the chance we have to catch him," said Roberts.

"People should be on guard. They should not forget, and if they have the least amount of information, they should call the homicide department and give it to them," he added.

Memorial planned

Riendeau's mother has invited family and friends to mark the tenth anniversary of Jolene's mysterious disappearance.

A memorial walk will start at Saint Columba House at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by a vigil at St. Gabriel Park.

Riendeau would be celebrating her 21st birthday on August 8.