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Erica Parsons' biological mother explains why she gave daughter up

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Friday marks one month since teen Erica Parsons was reported missing and nearly two years since she disappeared.

Biological mother Carolyn Parsons spoke with Eyewitness News about why Erica was raised by a former brother-in-law and his wife.

"I had no steady home," Parsons said. "I had no job."

She said she felt like their home was safe and even now she said she still would have given Erica Parsons away. She saw the girl for the first time since the adoption in January 2011, less than a year before she disappeared.

Eyewitness News asked if she could think of any reason for the disappearance, and if there's a Nan.

"There is no 'Nan,'" Carolyn said. "There is no Irene."

Casey and Sandy Parsons have said Erica is with a woman called "Nan." Eyewitness News asked Carolyn Parsons if it's at all possible that somebody tricked the couple, if that would be farfetched.

"Nothing is farfetched," Carolyn Parsons said. "You see it every day. There are kids that are kidnapped in this manner every day."

She said not checking in on Erica Parsons, seeing where she was staying, is inexcusable.

"If I knew in January, what I've heard now, I would have been at Rowan County Courthouse fighting for my kid back," Carolyn Parsons said.

She said she had no idea what was going on in the Parsons' house. Eyewitness News tried to contact the Parsons' attorney by email and phone, but has not heard back.