Question remains: Where is Baby Kate?

LUDINGTON, Mich. (WOOD) - A ten day trial lead to a guilty conviction of Sean Phillips for the unlawful imprisonment of his 4-month-old daughter Katherine, but the question in the back of many people's minds still remains " Where is Baby Kate?"

Ten months have passed since Katherine Phillips went missing.

"It's such a shame. If they could only find her...But I don't think we'll ever know," said Linda Carlson, the maternal great grandmother of Baby Kate. "I hate to say....I think something bad may have happened."

Circumstantial evidence put Baby Kate with her father in the hours after she disappeared.

Her baby seat was found in the trunk of Phillips' car, her clothing found in his pocket, and a note in his jail issued shirt pocket saying, 'he'd gave her to a guy.'

The FBI tracked potential adoptive families, but had no luck.

But none of that evidence still answers the questions: Was she left on someone's door step? Is she even alive?

24 Hour News 8 asked Phillip's attorney, Annette Smedley, what it will take to find Baby Kate.

"Somebody to say something," Smedley answered.

The prosecutor said they'll keep looking for little Katherine Phillips.

"Efforts are continuing to locate Katherine. And depends on what evidence is able to be obtained in the future, we will pursue all options upon further developments," said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

However, the defense said they've been looking in the wrong place all along.

"Mr Phillips, like I said, he's told from the beginning, exactly what happened that day. It hasn't changed. He didn't make up the story, because it was the same the whole time, it was the facts," said defense attorney Annette Smedly. "If you want to chase the story, I think you should be looking elsewhere."

Smedley was referring to Ariel Courtland, the mother of Baby Kate, who has denied allegations she never wanted her baby.

But the prosecutor said Courtland's story has checked out all along and Sean Phillips is still their suspect.

"We're continuing to investigate this case. This case remains an open investigation!" said Spaniola.

The prosecutor said new evidence could bring additional charges against Sean Phillips.

Investigators are developing additional places to look for the baby, including areas tied to the mud found on the bottom of Phillips' shoes the day she disappeared.

It's all part of the effort to solve the case, and get to something that's eluded just about everyone, including Spaniola.

"Closure will be difficult for a while," said Spaniola. "Closure will be difficult until we find her."

In a statement from Spaniola: This was an important case for our county. So many citizens were invested in searching and praying for Katherine. This jury’s verdict helps restore some resolution for the family and the community.

24 Hour News 8 will continue to follow the search efforts by both police and the public.