ROLESVILLE — Hope is fading for the safe return of a Wake Forest boy who vanished six weeks ago, but more people are joining in the fight to bringC.J. Wilkersonhome.

Friends and family of C.J. attended a vigil at a Wake Forest church Tuesday evening, praying for his safe return.

"It's just wonderful to know that so many people are standing behind us and trying to help us," says Clarence Wilkerson, C.J.'s father.

Tracie Gill, C.J.'s mother, continues to hold out hope for the return of her son.

"We have so much support that is behind us," Gill says. "I know my baby is coming home safe."

Monica Caison, president of Community United Effort, a state center for missing persons, did not know who C.J. Wilkerson was until a few weeks ago. Now, finding him has become her mission.

"We are here for the long haul," Caison says. "We are planning to return to Raleigh every week to do another event to help the family."

Caison says it will take more than just searches and posters to find the missing boy.

"It's going to take everyone in the community coming forward to help this family. It's going to take everybody talking about it," she says.

Caison hopes to organizeanother search for C.J.in the next couple of weeks.