Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh police have taken the lead in the search for a missing mother of two from Kinston after her car was found Wednesday morning in Raleigh.

Laura Jean Ackerson, 27, was last seen on July 13 in Raleigh driving a white 2006 Ford Focus with North Carolina license tag ZTL-7433.

The car was found parked at the Camden Crest Apartments complex, at 5400 Summit Manor Lane, near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Lynn Road, police said.

Ackerson, the co-owner of GoFish Graphic Design, a marketing agency in Kinston, was reported missing on Friday after she failed to pick up her children from their father following a business trip to Wilson.

Patsy Hayes said her son and Ackerson have been involved in a custody battle for the past year and a half. 

“He called me Friday. He was telling me that she hadn’t shown up. He seemed a little frustrated because he had the kids in the car for an hour and a half. They were hot,” Hayes said.

Hayes said she is holding out hope for Ackerson's return.

"I just hope, maybe, she wanted to get away and took off and wanted to be with friends and family," Hayes said. 

Police said they have no evidence that foul play was involved in Ackerson's disappearance.

Ackerson is described as white, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 135 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts or who believes they may have seen her within the past week is asked to call Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357.