The father of missing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbets is reportedly returning home to California a month after his daughter’s unsolved disappearance.

Rob Tibbets told KCRG that he’s “very reluctantly” going home at the request of law enforcement. He said authorities have instructed the family to return to their day-to-day routine. Meanwhile, his 20-year-old daughter remains missing.  

“We’ve called this sort of a half-time, a break,” Rob told the news station.

The worried father went on to say that he’ll be back in Iowa as soon as there’s a development in the case and that he still wants to be involved in any search efforts.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Mollie was last seen jogging in Dalton on the evening of July 18. Days later, Poweshiek County Sheriff Thomas Kriegel suggested she might’ve been abducted.

Since then, reports have emerged indicating that authorities believe Mollie might be with someone she knows.

READ More: FBI allegedly thinks Mollie Tibbetts is alive while abductor is ‘hiding in plain sight’: Report

Despite limited leads and no suspect in custody, Rob told KCRG that he’s still optimistic his daughter will be found safe.

“I still feel that way, we all feel that way, that’s why it’s difficult for me to knowing there’s a good chance that we’re going to bring her home,” he said.

“I want to be there when she arrives.”

Mollie was described as being 5 feet, 2 inches tall, 120 pounds, and having long brown hair and brown eyes. She was reportedly last seen wearing running shoes, a pink sports bra, and dark running shorts.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding Mollie Tibbets whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-452-1111.

 [Featured image: Mollie Tibbets/Handout]