( CNN ) -- The mother of a missing 7-year-old Oregon boy pleaded for her son 's safe return Tuesday , imploring him to `` never give up hope . '' `` Our goals are to expand the search for Kyron and to bring him home as quickly as possible , '' said Desiree Young , the mother of missing Kyron Horman , who was last seen June 4 . Young , standing alongside Kyron 's father , Kaine Horman , gave the statement during a press conference intended to provide an update on the investigation . However , few details were given by Multnomah County Sheriff 's Office authorities , who declined to elaborate on what they called `` significant progress '' in the case . `` Authorities remain determined to reach a successful solution , '' Capt . Monte Reiser said . `` We believe that Kyron 's disappearance involved criminal behavior because his parents have been deprived of their son for 53 days , '' he added . Young expressed confidence in the investigation saying it `` continues to be on track and is progressing toward finding Kyron . '' She concluded her statement by speaking directly to her son . `` We love you Kyron , '' she said , her voice breaking with emotion . `` Never give up hope . We are all coming to get you to bring you home . '' Neither authorities nor Young took questions from reporters . Meanwhile , Multnomah County Chief Deputy Tim Moore announced that a $ 25,000 reward for information leading to Kyron has been increased to $ 50,000 , courtesy of an anonymous donor . Police have not named a suspect in the case , but intense scrutiny has been placed on Kyron 's stepmother , Terri Horman . Terri Horman told investigators that she last saw Kyron the morning of June 4 as he walked down the hall toward his second-grade classroom at Skyline Elementary School . On Monday , a woman who has been in close contact with Terri Horman was subpoenaed to meet with the grand jury investigating the disappearance . DeDe Spicher is a friend of Terri Horman 's who stayed with her after Kaine Horman filed for divorce shortly after his son 's disappearance and moved out of the family home . In divorce filings , Kaine Horman has said he believes that Terri Horman `` is involved in the disappearance of my son Kyron . '' Court documents also allege that Terri Horman hired a man to kill her husband . Spicher appeared before an investigative grand jury in Portland on Monday , according to her attorney , Chad Stavley . Stavley , who told HLN that he was retained Friday , said Spicher was not asked any questions by the prosecutor but was ordered to return at a future date . A statement released Friday by Kaine Horman and Young described Spicher as someone who `` has been in close communication with Terri [ and ] has been providing Terri with support and advice that is not in the best interests of our son . '' The statement also described Spicher as uncooperative in the investigation and `` going as far as to suggest to others that may have information regarding Kyron 's disappearance not to cooperate as well . '' Stavley disputed those comments Monday , saying Spicher has been `` extremely cooperative '' with police as they executed search warrants on her home and car . He said she also met with the lead investigator in the case last week for more than three hours . He added that Spicher is not speaking to Terri Horman . The Oregonian reported that detectives have asked Spicher about her whereabouts June 4 . According to the newspaper , Spicher was doing gardening work for a Portland homeowner when she `` abruptly left about 11:30 a.m. '' The homeowner tried reaching Spicher on her cell phone , the newspaper reported , but got no answer . Spicher returned to the house about 90 minutes later , the newspaper reported , citing detectives . Stavley declined to comment Monday on what Spicher was doing during those 90 minutes . HLN 's Natisha Lance and CNN 's Gabriel Falcon contributed to this report .
`` Never give up hope , '' mother tells missing son . Kyron Horman was last seen June 4 . His mother , Desiree Young , appeared before a news conference Tuesday . The reward in the case has been increased to $ 50,000 .